Additional Recordings for the Suzuki Violin School

from the SAA Violin Committee

Establishing a rich musical environment through listening is a cornerstone of the Suzuki approach and an all-important component of the “Language Learning Analogy.” Listening repetitively to fine performances creates a palette of musical concepts and ideas and an internal image of tone in the mind. This process creates a constant example to be matched and one that can be “heard” long after listening is “over”.

A vital part of creating an optimal learning environment is for the teacher to explore a wide variety of recordings. It is then important to educate parents in the variety of listening options and recordings that are available. As the Every Child Can manual states, “Establishing a rich musical environment in which good music is a constant and valued presence is largely a parental responsibility…” (and, we might add, one that is guided by a knowledgeable instructor!).

To that end, the SAA Violin Committee offers the list below of recordings which are either “vintage” recordings of the Suzuki Violin School or suggestions for numerous other recorded versions of the repertoire.

The following recordings of the Suzuki Violin School are available for download on iTunes and Amazon from Alfred Publishing. Alfred Music has created a list of the links to purchase digital downloads of the Suzuki recordings. The links for the string books are active. Links to the recordings of other instruments will follow. The online address to access the list is Alfred.com/Suzuki and the exact URL for the string audio is www.alfred.com/suzukistringaudio.

While there are bowing and a few note differences in these older recordings, there are many musical riches here to be explored.

Additionally, families and teachers may want to explore the Sources List in Volumes 1—3, and the titles of pieces in Volumes 4—8 to search for recordings of Suzuki violin repertoire in their original versions from operas, oratorios, chamber music and various solo instruments like cello and piano. Another historical resource is From Suzuki to Mozart: A History of the Repertoire in Suzuki Violin Books 1-10 by Hadley Johnson.

Here are some listening suggestions specifically for pieces in the Suzuki Violin School by artists past and present. Of course this list, while comprehensive, is not exhaustive, and every family and instructor may have their favorite! The Committee thanks the many contributors to this initial effort. Listening and “discovering” new versions of “old friends” is a lifetime journey.

Happy listening!

Gossec Gavotte: Mischa Elman

Beethoven Minuet in G: Arthur Grumiaux, Anne Sophie Mutter, Mischa Elman, Fritz & Hugo Kreisler, Efrem Zimbalist, Itzhak Perlman

Dvorak Humoresque: Arthur Grumiaux, Mischa Elman, Itzhak Perlman, Fritz Kreisler

Bach Gavotte from Orchestral Suite #3: Yehudi Menuhin, Christopher Hogwood & Academy of Ancient Music.

Bach Bourree from Solo Cello Suite #6: Pablo Casals, Yo Yo Ma, Christopher Costanza

Seitz Concerto #5 3rd mvt.: Itzhak Perlman

Vivaldi Concerto in A minor: Arthur Grumiaux, Pinchas Zukerman & English Chamber Orchestra, Iona Brown & St. Martin in the Fields

Bohm Perpetual Motion: Barbara Barber

Bach Concerto in D minor for Two Violins: Jose-Luis Garcia & Pinchas Zukerman, David & Igor Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh & Issac Stern, James Ehnes & Jonathon Crow, Itzhak Perlman & Pinchas Zukerman, Rachel Barton Pines & Jesse Iron, Leonidas Kavakos & Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Arthur Grumiaux, Eduard Melkus Julia Fischer; Alexander Sitkovetsky & Academy of St. Martin In The Fields, Anne Sophie Mutter & Salvatore Accardo & English Chamber Orchestra

Unaccompanied Gavotte (Book V): Pablo Casals, Yo Yo Ma

Vivaldi Concerto in G Minor: Sarah Chang, Mischa Elman, David Oistrakh

Veracini Gigue: Fabio Biondi

La Folia: Itzhak Perlman, Geminiani Concerto Grosso #12 in D Minor- Andrew Manze & Academy of Ancient Music

Fiocco Allegro: Itzhak Perlman, Yehudi Menuhin, Brian Lewis

Handel Sonatas for Violin & Continuo: Susanne Lautenbacher, Andrew Manze and Richard Egarr, Iona Brown & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Henryk Szeryng, Arthur Grumiaux, Yehudi Menuhin with harpsichord, Maxim Vengerov, Rachel Barton Pine, Isaac Stern

Mozart Minuet: Quartetto Italiano, Eder Quartet, Budapest Quartet, Suzuki Quartet

Bach A Minor Concerto: Julia Fischer, Henryk Szeryng, Arthur Grumiaux, Jaap Schroder, Hilary Hahn, Oscar Shumsky, James Ehnes, Lara St. Johns, Ruggerio Ricci, Jascha Heifetz, Janine Jansen, Rachel Barton Pine, Tafelmusic & Jeanne Lamone, Gidon Kremer, Leila Josefowicz, Joshua Bell, Vadim Repin, Itzhak Perlman, David Oistrakh

Bach Courante: Pablo Casals, Yo Yo Ma

Bach Gigue: Pablo Casals, Yo Yo Ma

Corelli Allegro: Fritz Kreisler

Bach Largo: Arthur Grumiaux, Nathan Milstein, Katie Lansdale, Hilary Hahn

Bach Allegro from Sonata in E minor: Ruth Waterman, Bach Sonatas for Violin & Keyboard, Arthur Grumiaux

Veracini Sonata: Fabio Biondi

Additional Websites for Accompaniment and Practicing:

My Ongaku
SmartMusic
Accompany Music