Johanna Martzy is one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, alongside the likes of Ida Haendel, Ginette Neveu, Erica Morini, Gioconda De Vito … the recordings we still have from her testify to a violinist and musician of the highest class who was not possessed by a demon compelling her to provide the world with as extravagant an interpretation as possible, but with unleashed verve, inspired articulation and perfectly clear control as a devoted medium of musical energies. It is particularly instructive, following the terrific studio recordings of the concertos by (Mendelssohn and) Brahms, to hear the exciting live concert recordings made in Stuttgart with G?nter Wand (1964) and appreciate what a phenomenal violinist Johanna Martzy was, without any thought of grandstanding or pretension, always authentic, fully emphatic and with a select, cultivated taste. - Christoph Schl?ren
