Rode, P.: 24 Caprices for Solo Violin

The compositions by Jacques Pierre Joseph Rode (1774-1830) especially his violin concertos and the caprices in this edition have been very popular among violinists to this day. The caprices have taken on a permanent place in the solo violin literature next to those by Kreutzer Dont Wieniawski or Paganini since they are invaluable for a sound technical and musical training. What gives this edition its special value is that the renowned violin teacher Max Rostal wrote preparatory exercises for each of the 24 caprices which are tailor-made to match methodologically exactly the content of the exercise of the respective caprice.

Well known for his style of bowing his splendid tone and the clearness of his execution French violinist teacher and composer Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831) composed nineteen Violin concertos and forty operas during his life time and is perhaps best known for his 42 Études or Capriccios 1796. Born in Versailles Kreutzer was initially taught by his German father who was a musician in the royal chapel with later lessons from Anton Stamitz. He quickly rose to fame as a Violinist appearing as a soloist until 1810. In 1798 when at Vienna in the service of the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (later King ofSweden and Norway) Kreutzer the made the aquaintance of Beethoven and became the dedicatee of his Violin Sonata No. 9 Op. 47 (1803). Kreutzer however never played the work declaring it unplayable and incomprehensible. From 1795 until 1826 Kreutzer taught at the Conservatoire de Paris where he became co-author of the Conservatoire's Violin method with Pierre Rode and Pierre Baillot. He was also leader of the Paris Opera for a time. This volume contains Kreutzer's 42 Études which are to this day considered fundamental studies for student Violinists.