Classic Perlman: Rhapsody

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This compilation of selections from recordings made between 1975 and 1998, including one previously unreleased to create a framework, is a curious mix. All the pieces are slow, and this being the age of the soundbite, none is longer than five minutes except the Romance by Dvorák, who is also represented by two other popular pieces, specifically arranged to include a cello part for Yo-Yo Ma. Half the program consists of "themes" from movie soundtracks, and the comparison between them is interesting. John Williams, André Previn, and Max Steiner are film composers whose juicy melodies and swooping orchestrations are appropriate to the medium, while William Walton was a "serious" composer whose style retained its austerity in his film music. Two single slow movements, from Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, and from Brahms's Third Violin Sonata, make one yearn for more. The latter is the only piece on the disc that can reasonably be called "classical;" as for the "rhapsodic" part of the title, it is certainly justified by the performances. Perlman plays everything, whether by Brahms or John Williams, with the same concentration, commitment, and emotional intensity. His expressiveness is always noble and so genuine that there is never a moment of sentimentality or condescension. The program gives him little chance to display his virtuosity, but shows off his glorious tone in all its variety, warmth, and radiance; the climaxes soar with rapturous ecstasy. His partners and accompanying orchestras could not be better. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

Henry V: Canzonetta
Schindler's List: Theme From Schindler's List
Concerto In D Major For Violin, Piano And String Quartet, Op.21: Sicilienne - Juilliard String Quartet
Humoresque No.7 In G-Flat Major, Op.101
Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: Adagio - Daniel Barenboim
Now, Voyager: Theme From Now, Voyager
Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse: Theme Four Hoursemen Of The Apocalypse
Slavonic Dance No.2 In E Minor, Op.72
Cantabile For Violin And Guitar - John Williams
Cinema Paradiso: Love Theme
Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11
Henry V: Touch Her Soft Lips And Part

Amazon.com

This compilation of selections from recordings made between 1975 and 1998, including one previously unreleased to create a framework, is a curious mix. All the pieces are slow, and this being the age of the soundbite, none is longer than five minutes except the Romance by Dvorák, who is also represented by two other popular pieces, specifically arranged to include a cello part for Yo-Yo Ma. Half the program consists of "themes" from movie soundtracks, and the comparison between them is interesting. John Williams, André Previn, and Max Steiner are film composers whose juicy melodies and swooping orchestrations are appropriate to the medium, while William Walton was a "serious" composer whose style retained its austerity in his film music. Two single slow movements, from Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, and from Brahms's Third Violin Sonata, make one yearn for more. The latter is the only piece on the disc that can reasonably be called "classical;" as for the "rhapsodic" part of the title, it is certainly justified by the performances. Perlman plays everything, whether by Brahms or John Williams, with the same concentration, commitment, and emotional intensity. His expressiveness is always noble and so genuine that there is never a moment of sentimentality or condescension. The program gives him little chance to display his virtuosity, but shows off his glorious tone in all its variety, warmth, and radiance; the climaxes soar with rapturous ecstasy. His partners and accompanying orchestras could not be better. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest .......2007-06-11

Once in a very great while, God creates a musician who even He is in awe of. Itzhak Perlman is simply the greatest violinist who has ever lived. His Violin Concerto (Beethoven) is perhaps the greatest ever recorded, while here his violin expresses the joys and horrors of Cinema Paradiso and Shindler's List, themes not to be missed by anyone.

Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!.......2005-04-21

I played the violin growing up and could never imagine it could be played as
beautifully as Perlman can play it. He is unequalled as far as I'm concerned,
but anyone would enjoy this album as it has wonderfully memorable show
tunes like Cinema Paradiso and Schindler's List and the most beautiful
rendition ever of Michel Legrand's If It takes forever, I will wait for you
from UMBRELLAS of CHERBOURG.
It stays in my car CD player where I enjoy it over and over!

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