Ralph holmes violinist heifetz

The English violinist Ralph Holmes (), a student of Ivan Galamian and George Enescu, died tragically young, a few years short of turning fifty. These “previously unpublished BBC recordings” and the first appearance on CD of the Bartók are welcome additions to Holmes’s discography.

Beethoven’s ever-delightful ‘Spring’ Sonata receives a shapely and incisive performance.

The first movement – unfortunately shorn of its exposition repeat – is fresh and detailed with some attractive interplay between pianist and violinist, although the former, Beethoven’s ‘first’ instrument in his titling being the piano, is rather backwardly balanced.

Ralph holmes violinist heifetz

Nevertheless, Peter Dickinson (the author of the booklet notes) plays with sparkle and sympathy, Holmes suitably verdant in his response. Holmes’s feeling for the music is most evident in lyrical asides, and the slow movement is eloquent.

With a witty scherzo and swinging finale, this is a performance to treasure.

From the same recital, Arnold Bax’s Violi