Nicknamed ‘the French Kreisler’, Renée Chemet was one of the most popular female violinists in the period between the two World Wars, perfoming as 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 popularised by the leading tenors Enrico Caruso and John McCormack of her time, as well as Mario Lanza and Plácido Domingo decades later. These include such wellknown 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.

Also includes short pieces by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, d’Ambrosio, Thomé, Pierné, Toselli, Lieurance, Bartlett, Gordon, de Koven and Wood.