The American violinist of Romanian descent Jascha Heifetz is one of the greatest violin virtuosos of the past century. The Austrian violinist Benjamin Schmid takes the 120th anniversary of his birthday in 2021 as an opportunity for the release of an album in honor of this extraordinary musician. Together with his wife Ariane Haering at the piano, Schmid presents "Heifetz Favorites", featuring Heifetz's arrangements of works which he used to perform with great success in concerts. The album comprises countless audience hits which Heifetz arranged with virtuosity such as the Saber Dance by Khatschaturian, the Valse from Tchaikovsky's String Serenade, Banjo and Fiddle by W. Kroll or Alt-Wien by Godowsky. Two pieces from Gershwin's Porgy & Bess create a link to jazz, which is represented by Mish Mash by Romanian Antoni Donchev and two tracks by Austrian Sabina Hank inspired by Duke Ellington. Thus, this repertoire is entirely in the tradition of Heifetz, who always thought across genres and kept an eye on contemporary art.

Tracklist:

The Love For Three Oranges, Op. 33: March (Arr. J. Heifetz For Piano & Violin)
Banjo And Fiddle
4 Airs De Balle: No. 2, Valse Bluette (Arr. J. Heifetz For Piano & Violin)
Porgy And Bess: Tempo Di Blues (Arr. J. Heifetz For Piano & Violin)
2 Canciones Mexicanas: No. 2, Estrellita (Arr. J. Heifetz For Piano & Violin)
Serenade For Strings In C Major, Op. 48, Th 48: II. Valse (Arr. L. Auer For Violin & Piano)
Gayaneh: Sabre Dance (Arr. J. Heifetz For Violin & Piano)
Mish Mash (Arr. For Violin & Piano)
Sicilienne In E-Flat Major
Valse Noble Et Sentimentales, M. 61: No. 7, Moins Vif (Version For Violin & Piano)
Triakontameron: No. 11, Alt Wien (Arr. J. Heifetz For Violin & Piano)
Prelude No. 15 "Ao Pé Da Fogueira" (Arr. J. Heifetz For Violin & Piano)
Porgy And Bess: It Ain't Necessarily So (Arr. J. Heifetz For Violin & Piano)
Thoughts Over Caravan (After Ellington & Tizol)
In A Sentimental Mood For Two (After Ellington)
Valse Sentimentale, Op. 51 No. 6, Th 143 No. 6 (Arr. H. Morgan For Violin & Piano)
Berceuse, Op. 16
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 28: II. Air. Andante (Arr. For Violin & Piano)

UPC: 9003643992368
Label: Gramola
Release Date: 1.15.21
Format: CD

Heifetz Favorites / Various - Heifetz Favorites (CD)