Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is one of the greatest composer of Germany and of 17th century classical music. This famed work,"Chaconne"is the 5th movement of the Partita No.2 and often played independently."Chaconne" means traditional Spanish dance music. This masterpiece consists of 30 variations of a harmonic pattern for solo violin without any accompaniment.

Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) is a French composer. Chausson has a doctorate degree in law, however, at age 24, he began to engage in his life-long career as a composer. Chausson studied music under both Massenet and Franck. He was also purely attracted to literature and drawing and often employed melodic lines and elegant harmonies in his music. This very illusive and most famous of Chausson's works, "Poeme" based on a short story by Turgenev, conveys a certain indefinable oppressiveness in Chausson's world of heightened post-Romanticism, which he later abandoned. This was also composed as an orchestral piece.

Pablo Sarasate (1844-1908) is a Spanish violinist and composer. As a violinist, he was considered a virtuoso with his distinguished style of superb playing with beautiful tone and high skilled technique. Sarasate also achieved fame as a composer of virtuoso violin music. This piece "Zapateado" is a refined arrangement of Spanish folk dance music - a Spanish dance (or Flamenco dance) in which rhythmic patterns are made with the heel.

I. Idyll, II. Humoresk, III. Vaggsang, IV. Polska

The name Tor Aulin (1866-1915) is closely associated with the history of violin playing in Sweden, as he was one of the greatest violinists of his time. He formed the first permanent string quartet ensemble in Sweden,"Aulinquartet" which gave concerts regularly for almost thirty years.

The four pieces in this"Four Water-Colours"are, as the title implies, light unpretentious works with inspired beautiful melodies. Certain strains in the final bravura reel reflect the prominent position of Grieg in Sweden at the turn of the century.

　

I. Vivace, II. Andante, III. Agitato-trio, IV. Poco Allegretto con Variazioni

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) is one of the most important composers of Germany's "romantic" music. Brahms was considered unique among Austro-Germany Romantic composers, because of the emphasis he placed on the composition of chamber music. Brahms often consulted Joachim for his advice on new works for strings. In this work composed in 1876, the cantabile theme undergoes eight ingenious transformations. In the last two passages, he used the vigorous, leaping theme of the first movement contrapuntally to unite the four movements in one intellectual whole.