Tchaikovsky, Sibelius: Violin Concertos - The Classic Sound / Chung, Previn

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This was Kyung-Wha Chung's first recording, made when she was 22, just after her sensational London debut in the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the same orchestra and conductor. It is splendid. Only a young, radiantly talented player could make these two tired warhorses sound so fresh and vital; only a consummately masterful one could sail through their daunting technical difficulties with such easy virtuosity and perfection. Her tone is flawlessly beautiful, varied in color and inflection; she puts her technical resources entirely at the service of the music, giving every note meaning and honestly felt expression without exaggeration or sentimentality. The Tchaikovsky has charm, humor, sparkle; the slow movement is dreamy, wistful, and unmuted but subdued and inward. The Sibelius is dark and bleak but full-blooded, passionate, and intense. The orchestra sounds and plays better in the Sibelius. --Edith Eisler

Album Details
Andre Previn's Reputation as a Tchaikovsky Specialist Preceeds Him Here. His Ability to Sustain the Melodic Line Even at Often Such Treacherously Slow Tempos is Extraordinary, Fully Revealing the Haunting Beauty Implicit in the Composers' Scores. Here He Joins Violinist Kyung Wha Chung in a Ravishing Account of Tchaikovsky's Seminal Concerto Guaranteed to Thrill. Decca's Sound as Well is State of the Art.

Tchaikovsky, Sibelius: Violin Concertos - The Classic Sound / Chung, Previn, Music, Chung, Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, Classical, Classical Music, Classical Vocals

Average customer rating:

Delicate, Personal Readings Of Venerable Violin Favorites

Depth, scintillating clarity, passion, sibelian bleakness!

You must hear the Sibelius

A genius at work who happens tobe very modest unlike many

Tchaikovsky, Sibelius: Violin Concertos - The Classic Sound / Chung, Previn
Chung , Previn , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041V8
Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

Vn Con In D, Op.35: I. Allegro Moderato
Vn Con In D, Op.35: II. Canzonetta: Andante
Vn Con In D, Op.35: III. Finale; Allegro Vivacissimo
Vn Con In d, Op.47: I. Allegro Moderato
Vn Con In d, Op.47: II. Adagio Di Molto
Vn Con In d, Op.47: III. Allegro, Ma Non Tanto

Amazon.com

This was Kyung-Wha Chung's first recording, made when she was 22, just after her sensational London debut in the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the same orchestra and conductor. It is splendid. Only a young, radiantly talented player could make these two tired warhorses sound so fresh and vital; only a consummately masterful one could sail through their daunting technical difficulties with such easy virtuosity and perfection. Her tone is flawlessly beautiful, varied in color and inflection; she puts her technical resources entirely at the service of the music, giving every note meaning and honestly felt expression without exaggeration or sentimentality. The Tchaikovsky has charm, humor, sparkle; the slow movement is dreamy, wistful, and unmuted but subdued and inward. The Sibelius is dark and bleak but full-blooded, passionate, and intense. The orchestra sounds and plays better in the Sibelius. --Edith Eisler

Album Details

Andre Previn's Reputation as a Tchaikovsky Specialist Preceeds Him Here. His Ability to Sustain the Melodic Line Even at Often Such Treacherously Slow Tempos is Extraordinary, Fully Revealing the Haunting Beauty Implicit in the Composers' Scores. Here He Joins Violinist Kyung Wha Chung in a Ravishing Account of Tchaikovsky's Seminal Concerto Guaranteed to Thrill. Decca's Sound as Well is State of the Art.

Customer Reviews:

Delicate, Personal Readings Of Venerable Violin Favorites.......2005-04-03

Purchased based on guidance found here and from Gramophone, I am not disappointed in Ms. Chung's reading of the venerable violin concertos from Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. Overall the CD is very satisfying both in terms of performances and sound. Ms. Chung's performance has a wonderful personal quality which, while technically satisfactory will seem somewhat delicate to listeners more accustomed to (and expecting parity with) Heifetz, Stern or Mutter. This departure from expectation shows refreshing independence relative to the dogma of precision over passion. Though a departure from more traditional readings, Ms. Chung's personal style does not disappoint. The Tchaikovsky concerto is excellent though I recommend considering Mutter or Josefowicz. The Sibelius, however, is first-rate by any standard and fully justifies the critic's accolades. In both accounts Previn and the London Symphony are in top form, as they deliver superior support while ensuring proper balance between orchestra and soloist. A wonderful addition to the catalog of these classics.

Depth, scintillating clarity, passion, sibelian bleakness!.......2003-05-20

Kyung Wha Chung is one of the truly outstanding (and diffident) violinists of the 20th century. Musically and technically, she stands on the cusp of the late 20th century: the irrefutable influence of the aging Russian models of near-perfection (heifetz, milstein, oistrakh, kogan etc) and the currently evolving schools of purity and accuracy lacking personality or spirit. Anyone listening to Chung will recognise her style, as one does the Great Masters of the early-mid 20th century, but marvel at her accuracy and purity, and musical intelligence.

The Sibelius is probably the finest version on disc, taking into consideration the main competitors (Heifetz versions and possibly another Oriental virtuoso).

Strengths in Chung's performance:
a) Interpretation is 5 gold stars, dazzling and passionate, with plenty of "Fire without warmth" that characterizes Sibelius. No hint of over-romaticizing in the second movement, though it is the Heifetz versions which move me to tears with the intensity and darkness of the brilliance here.
b) Rapport with Andre Previn, who is one of the most seriously underrated conductors of his time. 5 Gold Stars.
c) Orchestral playing by the LSO at their very best. 5 Gold Stars
d) Recording quality and remastering are absolutely excellent. 5 Silver Stars.

I was awestruck by this version when I first heard it on vinyl release, and I have never tired of it after 30 years of listening on all media to date. I have no adverse comments whatever.

The Tchaikovsy is excellent, really vibrant and spontaneous. 5 Stars. I listen to the versions by Milstein (1959 stereo, Steinberg cond) and Leonid Kogan (1959 stereo, Silvestri cond) more frequently, however, for their silvery articulation. Nevertheless, I love to hear Chung's from time to time, for its freshness and recorded quality. A great version.

You will cherish this CD.

You must hear the Sibelius.......1999-09-15

Yes, the Tchaikovsky is good. But buy this disc for the Sibelius if you like this concerto. The quality of the Sibelius recording is superior to that of the Tchaikovsky and I rather think Chung was a little more on her form. The Tchaikovsky is not up to the standards of the Classic Sound series in my opinion, but the Sibelius is definitely first class.

A genius at work who happens tobe very modest unlike many.......1998-10-27

Incredible. Simply the best version I have heard.

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