I had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Shumsky when I was attending SUNY Purchase. His musicianship was second to none and he had this tremendous depth of knowledge that transcended generations of great musicians. I remember him telling me a story about when he was building his home. One of his suppliers stopped by one day to drop off materials for the build and heard Mr. Shumsky practicing upstairs in the house he was building. He asked who is playing this gorgeous violin, and one of the workmen commented that it was Mr. Shumsky. The supplier could not believe the greatness of Shumsky's violin playing.
What a gem. Thank you so much for sharing. There's a very tricky balance to be struck in this music between schmaltz and sincerity. Maybe it's sincere schmaltz... At any rate, without that balance something is lost but finding that balance seems to be surprisingly tricky. At any rate it's worlds away from instagram this and tiktok that. Whatever the analogy, it seems that Schumsky understood it. Such delicious touches of rubato.
@@nrosen8794 Absolutely! For me Shumsky was the only violinist, apart from Kreisler himself, who did justice to these little jewels and played them in the 'right style and spirit of old Vienna'. He owned the essence of the Kreisler sound, his fantastic vibrato and the dark colour across all 4 strings. One can hear in his performances, how highly he valued these miniatures. By the way, I don't think, it was a co-incidence that Heifetz didn't record much Kreisler. May be, he didn't want to be compared with Kreisler in such works, because he admired him too much?
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Shumsky when I was attending SUNY Purchase. His musicianship was second to none and he had this tremendous depth of knowledge that transcended generations of great musicians. I remember him telling me a story about when he was building his home. One of his suppliers stopped by one day to drop off materials for the build and heard Mr. Shumsky practicing upstairs in the house he was building. He asked who is playing this gorgeous violin, and one of the workmen commented that it was Mr. Shumsky. The supplier could not believe the greatness of Shumsky's violin playing.
Thank you for your contribution to this channel. Your story is very touching. I wish people could hear more about the giant.
Perfection. Pure and simple.
Agreed!
What a gem. Thank you so much for sharing.
There's a very tricky balance to be struck in this music between schmaltz and sincerity. Maybe it's sincere schmaltz... At any rate, without that balance something is lost but finding that balance seems to be surprisingly tricky. At any rate it's worlds away from instagram this and tiktok that. Whatever the analogy, it seems that Schumsky understood it. Such delicious touches of rubato.
Thank you for listening and your insightful comment. 🤝
Heartwarmingly delicious!
Yes! 🤝👍
I am dying listening to this genius of a musician who channelled Fritz Kreisler better than any other violinist living or otherwise. Pure magic!
In my opinion, Michael Rabin's version is best. It was recorded in mono in 1962. ruclips.net/video/2LYOmWUC-SE/видео.html
Listen to Michael Rabin and Anne-Sophie Mutter's versions also.
Thanks for posting this! It's a really good recording :)
Thanks!!!!!!!!
A charming performance - by both.
A total pleasure.
'Warhorse' that it became, it is still a wonderful little tune with plenty of challenges.
This version, Rabin's and of course Kriesler himself. The trinity.
Heaven
This is incredible economy of bow.
How difficult must it be to slide down the neck like that!?
Not hard to slide down the neck. But to do it like THAT is another matter entirely!
The greatest individuality next to Heifetz and Kreisler! Inimitable...
Not necessarily true.
He seems to me to sound more Kreislerian than Heifetzian.
@@nrosen8794 Absolutely! For me Shumsky was the only violinist, apart from Kreisler himself, who did justice to these little jewels and played them in the 'right style and spirit of old Vienna'. He owned the essence of the Kreisler sound, his fantastic vibrato and the dark colour across all 4 strings. One can hear in his performances, how highly he valued these miniatures. By the way, I don't think, it was a co-incidence that Heifetz
didn't record much Kreisler. May be, he didn't want to be compared with Kreisler in such works, because he admired him too much?
@@nrosen8794 In a sense, yes. He had the typical Auer school approach, but his very own, less carnivorous way of making music.
Campoli too!
Shumsky was known in Europe and Nimbus, based in England made a lot of records featuring his art: Mozart, Bach, Ysaye
One of the greatest violinists of all times. Totally unknown in Europe …..
It’s not too late to discover, King Oscar!
Great player ‼️
Gorgeous!
Wish I could play that
Gitlis’ brother! Right from the heart.