Renée Chemet – HMV Recordings
Release date: 7 November 2025
BDF-ED-8506402
Nicknamed ‘the French Kreisler’, Renée Chemet was one of the most popular female violinists in the period between the two World Wars, perfoming as a soloist under such legendary conductors as Arthur Nikisch, Gustav Mahler, Fritz Steinbach, Willem Mengelberg and Thomas Beecham. Although she began her career in Europe and Great Britain, by the mid 1920s, Chemet became extremely popular in the United States. She gave solo recitals in all the major American concert halls, including New York’s Metropolitan Opera House.
In 1924 she was signed as a ‘Red Seal’ artist by the Victor Company, joining the roster of their ‘star’ violinists: Kreisler, Elman and Heifetz. Like most of the major classical artists of the day, Chemet recorded many short works – including popular songs – beloved by audiences. Her highly expressive, heart-on-sleeve playing was well suited to these miniatures, and her records sold extremely well. Many of these songs were popularized by the leading tenors Enrico Caruso and John McCormack of her time, as well as Mario Lanza and Placido Domingo decades later. These include such well-known ballads as “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” and “I Hear You Calling Me”, as well as operetta numbers by Victor Herbert.
In 1932, Chemet traveled to the Far East, and was so taken with Japan that she actually took up residence there for several years. This CD includes her last commercial recording: Haru no umi (‘Sea of the Spring’) by the Japanese koto player Michio Miyagi. Following her husband’s death and the advent of the Second World War, she returned to her native France, where she resumed her performing career in a limited way until her death in 1977.
1. KREISLER – Praeludium and Allegro ‘in the style of Pugnani’
recorded 16 July 1920; first issued on HMV 3-07920 (matrix HO 4493 af)
2. TARTINI – Violin Sonata in G minor, op.1 no.10 ‘Didone abbandonata’
recorded 16 August 1920 and 17 January 1921*; first issued on HMV 3-07919, 3-07921
and 5-7931* (matrix HO 4492 af, 4494 af and 6041 ae*)
3. I Andante
4. II Presto*
5. III Largo
6. IV Allegro commodo
7. VIVALDI – Largo from Violin Concerto in A minor, op.3 no.6
recorded 3 November 1922; first issued on HMV 5-7989 (matrix Bb 2089)
HANDEL – Violin Sonata No.1 in A
recorded 30 August 1926; first issued on DB 964 (matrix Cc 8897)
8. I Andante
9. II Allegro
10. Haydn (arr. Burmester) – Minuet from Symphony No.96
recorded 12 July 1923; first issued on HMV DA 530 (matrix Bb 3262)
11. HUMMEL (arr. Burmester) – Valse, op.91
recorded 12 July 1923; first issued on HMV DA 531 (matrix Bb 3263)
12. WEBER (arr. Burmester) – Waltz, J.147
recorded 16 July 1920; first issued on HMV 5-7905 (matrix HO 5783 ae)
13. LALO – Symphonie espagnole, op.21
recorded 14 January 1921; first issued on HMV 3-07936/38 (matrices HO 4497/99 af)
14. I Allegro non troppo
15. II Scherzando: Allegro molto
16. V Rondo: Allegro
17. LALO – Romance from Violin Concerto in F, op.20
recorded 14 January 1921; first issued on HMV 3-07935 (matrix HO 4496 af)
18. FIBICH (arr. Kubelik) – Poème, op.44 no.14
recorded 10 July 1922; first issued on HMV DA 419 (matrix Bb 1636)
19. SIMONETTI – Madrigale
recorded 12 July 1923; first issued on HMV DA 530 (matrix Bb 3261)
20. SAINT-SAËNS – Serenade, op.15
recorded 12 July 1923; first issued on HMV DA 531 (matrix Bb 3264)
21. SAINT-SAËNS – Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, op.28
recorded 28 September 1925; first issued on HMV DB 887 (matrix Cc 6789/90)
22. WIENIAWSKI – Polonaise brillante in A, op.21
recorded 9 October 1925; first issued on HMV DB 964 (matrix Cc 6788)
23. CHABRIER – Feuillet d’album
recorded 23 August 1926; first issued on DA 812 (matrix Bb 8867)
24. GROVLEZ – Berceuse
recorded 23 August 1926; first issued on DA 812 (matrix Bb 8868)
FALLA (arr. Kochánski) – Suite populaire espagnole
recorded 26 August 1926; first issued on DA 3:19 814 (matrix Bb 8887 & 8890)
25. No.1 El pano moruno
26. No.6 Jota
27. POLDINI (arr. Kreisler) – Dancing Doll
recorded 30 August 1926; first issued on DA 811 (matrix Bb 8899)
28. DRDLA – Souvenir
recorded 30 August 1926; first issued on DA 811 (matrix Bb 8898)
