Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D Op. 35/Sibelius: Violin Concerto In D minor Op. 47

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For some reason, record companies like to put these two concertos together, particularly for debut albums. Of course, Viktoria Mullova is an established artist, but this was the record that got her career going, and it's still one of the best around for these two concertos. They are very different pieces: the Tchaikovsky warmly heart-on-sleeve, the Sibelius more brooding and melancholy, even in its flashier moments. Mullova is a very serious, even severe artist, who's not into musical fun and games. You would think that this makes her a natural for Sibelius--and so it proves. But she also imbues the Tchaikovsky with a certain intensity of purpose and musical logic that makes her performance stand out from the crowd, and that's what great playing is all about. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Thais: Meditation - Nigel Kennedy
Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: Adagio - Kyung Wha Chung
Con No.4 in f, RV 297 'Winter': Largo - Alan Loveday
Con in d, BWV 1043: Largo, Ma Non Tanto - Henryk Szeryng/Maurice Hasson
Adagio in E, K.261 - Henryk Szeryng
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in D, Op.77: Adagio - Joshua Bell
Vn Con: Andante - Joshua Bell
Melodie - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Vn Son No.5 in F, Op.24 'Spring': Adagio Molto Espressivo - Itzhak Perlman/Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Canzonetta: Andante - Leila Josefowicz
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
None But The Lonely Heart - Josef Sakonov
The Gadfly: Romance - Alexander Kerr

Tracks:

Romance No.2 in F, Op.50 - Arthur Grumiaux
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: Adagio - Midori
Salut D'amour - Kyung Wha Chung/Philip Moll
Ave Maria, D.839 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Con in a, RV 522: Larghetto - Midori/Pinchas Zukerman
Son in D, Op.1 No.13: Larghetto - Iona Brown
Vn Con No.3 in G, K.216: Adagio - Arthur Grumiaux
Liebesleid - Joshua Bell/Paul Coker
Vn Con in e, Op.64: Andante - Kyung Wha Chung
Souvenir D'un Lieu Cher, Op.42: Melodie - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in d, Op.47: Adagio Di Molto - Kyung Wha Chung
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Romance: Andante - Chantal Juillet
Standchen, D.957 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Estrellita - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Orchestral Ste No.3 in D, BWV 1068: Air ('Air On A G String') - ASMF/Neville Marriner

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2005-11-07

An excellent compilation of folk tunes and violin concerto adagios, played masterfully by some of the world's most revered musicians. Features modern pieces (Korngold, Barber), which are a personal favorite of mine.

Thanks you Decca.......2005-01-23

My daughter is a violin student of 7 years and she has played 3 or 4 of these pieces for recitals. I bought the CD's so she could become familiar with the pieces as she was learning to play them. Now I find myself listening to the CD's almost every night when I go for my end of the day drive to relax. My favorites are the Mozart Concerto in G, the Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor and Beethoven's Romance in F on disc 2, but all the songs are exquisitely beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Exquisite music for the soul.......2004-06-14

These CDs have the most incredible selections of music on them. Listening to the violins has enabled me to complete papers for my doctoral level classes without the usual neck aches. This is soothing, exquistie music for the soul! Lovely!!

Indeed a joy forever!.......2003-05-22

Before buying this 2 CD set,I've read Reviews by Chicagodreamer,
who rated it as "Highly, highly recommended." His laudatory recommentation, I must say, is found "well justified."

Exquisite collection & performances, unbelievable value!!!.......2002-01-15

"Over 2 l/2 hours of the world's most beautiful music." These words on the cover are very close to true. What an incredible value this collection is!! So many of these compilations of this sort are cheaply produced, and those "greatest hits" collections are one trite piece after another -- after a while one runs screaming to the stereo to shut it off. However, this collection is top-notch, and the performers they chose are masterful musicians at the top of their game. Every selection is lovely, each one unfolding after the other in a sublime slide show of exquisite compositions performed by legends. This is TWO CDs of sparkling performances composed and performed by masters. There is not a bad selection or a piece of inferior quality in the entire lot.

Tracks:

Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Chaconne
Violin Concerto, Op.77: Allegro non troppo (Cadenza - Heifetz)
Violin Concerto, Op.77: Adagio
Violin Concerto, Op.77: Allegro giocoso ma non troppo vivace
Violin Concerto, Op.35: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto, Op.35: Canzonetta: Andante
Violin Concerto, Op.35: Finale: Allegro vivachissimo

Tracks:

Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: Introduction: Grave - Adagio cantabile
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: Allegro
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: Adagio - Andante sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: Finale: Allegro guerriero
Violin Concerto, Op.47: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto, Op.47: Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto, Op.47: Allegro ma non tanto
Violin Concerto, Op.82: Moderato
Violin Concerto, Op.82: Andante sostenuto
Violin Concerto, Op.82: Tempo!
Violin Concerto, Op.82: Allegro
3 Preludes: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
3 Preludes: Andante con moto e poco rubato
3 Preludes: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso

Amazon.com

For many violin fans, Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) remains, quite simply, the greatest. Heifetz's perfect tone and electric playing weren't always subtle, but you can't deny the awesome power of his virtuosity and precision. Heifetz: The Supreme gathers some of his best-loved works--violin concertos by Sibelius, Glazunov, and Tchaikovsky--along with a few gems (Gershwin's Three Preludes, Bach's Chaconne from Partita No. 2) into one, remastered two-CD package. The Bach may be too intense for some tastes--it's an impassioned, romantic reading--but Heifetz is merely being himself. On the Sibelius and Tchaikovsky violin concertos, though, his skills are undeniable. Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony provide the perfect accompaniment for the violinist, and Heifetz simply lets loose. Heifetz's Gershwin transcriptions are an added, fun bonus. If you haven't been introduced to the glory of Heifetz, here's your chance. With remastered sound, he's never sounded better. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

A good taste of Heifetz's musical style and technical supremacy.......2006-04-09

As always, Jascha Heifetz shows his technical mastery of the violin in this CD. He plays each note with intent and a precise control unparalleled by other violinists. His tone quality is also quite good.

While the Tchaikovsky showcases Heifetz's finesse, Heifetz's rendition of the Brahms concerto (esp. the first movement) is very moving. He also shows off his musical range in other pieces; for example the first movement of the Sibelius violin concerto has a quiet & mysterious element, while the last movement of the Glazunov is full of energy.

However, Heifetz's rendition of Bach's Chaconne is different than most. For those who enjoy a more traditional interpretation, I would go with Nathan Milstein's version.

This is Great stuff.......2005-03-27

That Jascha Heifetz was a great violinist, no one can quibble;
but if you want only one version of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto it has to be Isaac Stern's for perfection. It must be said, though, that Heifetz and Ricci play a much more difficult version of this concerto than does Stern. Stern's score has more cuts. If you've got enough money to get Heifetz' complete discography, do so. If you want only one disk of the Tchaikovsky, it has to be Isaac's. Nobody did it better. You can get the other Heifetz tracks on other compilations. I would recommend owning both the Heifetz and the Stern recordings because the versions are so different, and Heifetz shows you in this recording the
phenomenal technique he possessed that was made the standard of all violinists after him. You can also see Heifetz perform this
concerto (excerpts) in the video 'Carnegie Hall'. The man was simply astounding.

Long review, but please read........2005-02-16

I am also a violinist myself of 13 years. I have played most of these violin concertos almost a year ago.
Heifetz delivers his interpretation to the audience. I always viewed Heifetz as very stern and a reserved man, that he did not show any emotion.
After listening to this CD, my judgment was suddenly changed.

To start with, the Bach Chacconne deserves much credit. Heifetz recorded this live (I have the video)around the age of 70. Despite his age, he performed this piece with such passion and power. His vibrato was perfect for Bach's baroque style. I have listened to this over 300 times (no exaggerating).

Then, there's the Brahm's violin concerto. Heifetz DID play a little fast, but his interpretation made up for it. I personally loved his 3rd movement, which was flawless. As I listened to it, I could feel his bow contact with the violin string. It was unbelievable.

Then, the favorite of mine, Tchaikovsky's violin concerto was incredibly played. Even Kyung Wha Chung's musical ideas could not compete with Jascha Heifetz's perfection. I loved the musical parts, which was very emotional. It was great. Also, I just want to point out the 3rd movement. In his harmonics (the notes that sound like whistling) it was so pure and neat that I simply could not describe it in words, You must hear for yourself.

The Bruch's Scottish Fantasy was one of my favorites. The introduction was so mellow and sad. Once again, I really cannot describe it in words. I advise you to listen to this right now.

The Sibelius Violin Concerto, one of my favorites, was simply played inconceivably. His tone quality was exceptional, and I could not believe such power that Mr. Heifetz had in him.

His Glazunov Concerto was great too. I loved his tone quality and interpretation.

Finally, his Gershwin preludes added a final jazz touch to the album which would enlighten all the listeners after all those minor keyed concertos.

I encourage, no recommend, no COMMAND you to get this album now. I promise you. You will not regret it.

ok for bargin.......2003-09-20

This two cd set is a good bargin for $16. It has good song selection including the chaconne by Bach, Concerto in D major by Brahms and Tchaikovsky, etc..

The remastering of the concerto's by brahms and tchaikovsky were not as good as what I had expected. If you are only looking for these two concertos, you may want to try the "living stero" version. The Scottish fantasy, chaconne, and sibelius in this recording sounds better than the brahms and tchaikovsky.

Overall, this is not the best cd for serious collections, but a good deal for those who want lots of songs for a bargain price.

Heifetz shows his supremacy.......2003-07-19

Jascha Heifetz is the most influential violinist of the 20th century. No contest. He played the most difficult pieces with unnerving speed that most professionals today would prefer to slow down. In Jascha Heifetz: The Supreme, there is a select few of violin pieces that are very commonly played in his vast repertoire. Of this I particularly enjoyed the Bach Chaconne, Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Brahms, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky Violin Concertos. I was most pleased when I heard Heifetz play Tchaikovsky for it is a piece I am currently playing and it was hard for me to find a recording of the Auer version, notably harder than the original score. Heifetz plays it flawlessly. The Finale is played in the style of Auer, his teacher. Auer merely took out parts the seemed repetitive in this fun movement. However, Tchaikovsky is not the only reason why I highly recommend you to buy this CD. The other pieces are performed at the usual Heifetz perfection. This select 2CD represents the top works of Heifetz, showing his supremacy.

Average customer rating:

agreed. agreed.
A Breath of Fresh Air!
Knock Your Socks Off Interpretations at a Cheap Price!
Please don't delete this item!
Maybe the best deal in Classical music!

The Art of Ivry Gitlis

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Paganini
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Legend: David Oistrakh [CD & DVD]
Vlado Perlemuter Plays Ravel

ASIN: B000001KC1
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: Canzonetta
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: Finale: Allegro; Vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In G Minor, Op. 26: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In G Minor, Op. 26: Adagio
Violin Concerto In G Minor, Op. 26: Finale: Allegro energico
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro ma non tanto

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo
Violin Concerto No. 2 (1938): Allegro non troppo
Violin Concerto No. 2 (1938): Andante tranquillo
Violin Concerto No. 2 (1938): Allegro molto
Sonata For Solo violin (1944)

Customer Reviews:

agreed. agreed. .......2007-05-18

adding my voice to the accolades. this is super playing at an unbelievable bargin. strongly recommended.

A Breath of Fresh Air!.......2007-01-20

If you love the violin, you've probably heard the Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn concertos more times that you could even count. You probably think there's no interpretation that could surprise you. You might even be getting bored with these old "war horses." Well, what you need is Ivry Gitlis. Somehow he manages to take pieces that everyone plays and make them his very own. This collection is an absolute treasure. It made me remember why I love this music, and why I love the violin.

Knock Your Socks Off Interpretations at a Cheap Price!.......2006-08-17

OK, so Ivry Gitlis isn't exactly a household name! No matter. Listen to them all, smoldering interpretations of the highest virtuosity, doing some old warhorse concertos quite proud. No need to be a musician to appreciate the explosive talent. Unhesitatingly recommended.

Please don't delete this item!.......2006-02-26

It is such a shame that more isn't available from this artist. There exists somewhere (only on LP?) an amazing Paganini 1 of Gitlis for example, that hasn't been on CD for years, or ever?

The violin playing on this collection is from Gitlis' earlier years (a good thing) and his virtuosity is simply astonishing.

Just listen to the Tchaikovsky and be amazed. Worth the (reasonable) price of the set alone. Who else could get away with that tempo!!!

Truth is, Mr Gitlis is a bit of a nutter! But in a very good way. So refreshing to hear one 'not following the trend'. This could of course be a disaster recipe, but the playing on this disk is just so outrageous and fantastic, you emerge a fan of the man.

His comments on 'The Art of Violin' DVD are by far the most informative and astute, so the guy is the real deal.

Makes Perlman seem a bit naive.......

No trouble finding his recordings though!

Long Live Ivry.

Maybe the best deal in Classical music!.......2005-07-11

Up until I bought this CD I barley knew who Ivry Gitlis was. I bought it because it was such a great deal and had pieces included that I liked very much all in one package. My plan was to leave it in my car and put my favorites back in the house where they couldn't get damaged. Man, was I surprised byt the quality of these performances and the recording in general. Mr. Gitlis is about as good as you can get and all the performnces are of a very high quality. Much better than I expected. Even the sound is pretty good. I just wish I had more CD's that I was this happy with.

Average customer rating:

Warm and passionate Stern, masterful Ormandy
Great
Very fine versions of these two concertos
A must have for Stern fans, others shop around
Not too bad, but certainly not great.

Tchaikovsky, Sibelius: Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Mendelssohn, Dvorak: Violin Concertos
Wienawski, Bruch: Violin Concertos
Brahms: Violin Concerto; Double Concerto for violin and cello
A Life In Music: Isaac Stern, Volume 8
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64 / Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35

ASIN: B000002AXW
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op. 35: I. Allegro moderato
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op. 35: II. Conzonetta. Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op. 35: III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, op. 47: I. Allegro moderato
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, op. 47: II. Adagio di molto
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, op. 47: III. Allegro, ma non tanto

Customer Reviews:

Warm and passionate Stern, masterful Ormandy.......2003-11-13

I can never pass up a good Sibelius Violin Concerto and picked this CD up for a couple of bucks in a bargain bin. Needless to say, it was well worth it. I've never been very impressed with recordings from the '60s, but this one is excellent. The acoustics are superb -- obviously not as good as modern ones, but not "muddy", as the reviewer below said. The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra sounds outstanding on this recording, and Ormandy is a master. For example, there are parts of the Tchaikovsky concerto where the orchestra's playing is even more breathtaking than Stern's. Is that possible? Ormandy jumps strongly into the rollicking 3rd movement of the Sibelius concerto, unlike a lot of the limp and flaccid performances I've heard under other conductors. And of course, Stern is phenomenal here: it may not his best disc, but it's definitely a very good one. He is characteristically warm and passionate, eschewing show-offy technical fireworks for a down-to-earth and very emotional style. His playing can be just slightly loud in places on this disc (which probably has more to do with the placement of the microphone than anything else), but overall it's a fantastic recording. Five stars.

Great.......2001-07-04

This has to be one of my favorite CDs. Peter Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto has to be one of my favorite pieces by the violin, and Jean Siblius does a great job on his too. Isaac Stern does a great job, making only one mistake in the third movement of the Tchaikovsky piece. As always, Eugene Ormandy does a great job conducting his Philadelphia Orchestra. I find this an almost perfect replica of what Peter Tchaikovsky and Jean Sibelius pictured when they composed their pieces. This is a very good price considering that I have seen it in bookstores for [a lot more]....

Very fine versions of these two concertos.......2001-02-20

These are wonderful performances, full of the flair that made Stern famous. I was glad Sony chose this particular version of the Tchaikovsky with Ormandy and the Philadelphians for his "Life in Music" series, rather than Stern's later version with Berstein and the NYPO. This earlier recording captures Stern with more spontaneity and displays his virtuosity to greater effect. The faster passages of the Tchaikovsky are handled with ease, even at speeds faster than normally heard. The Sibelius was recorded much later and therefore has slightly better sound but the performance again is on a very high level. It may not be THE best version of this concerto out there, but it is very satisfying. Overall I would recommend this recording.

A must have for Stern fans, others shop around.......2000-05-10

The Tchaikovsky dates from the 1950's and the recording shows its age, although Sony has done an admirable remastering job. The violin is placed very forward in relation to the mic, which captures Stern very well. The fluidity and technical precision he exhibits in the quick passage work reminds me of Heifetz in his almost robotic ability to hit every note. To Stern's credit, he is considerably more poetic than Heifetz in this particular work. This might even be a top recommendation if not for the orchestra not being captured very well. The orchestra is too far back and sounds a bit muddy. The sound in the Sibelius is much better (recording from late 1960's), but Stern's performance is not on a par with the Tchaikovsky. It is quite adequate and probably better than average, but it is missing that last bit of dark mystery I associate with this piece. This reading pales in comparison to Lin/Salonen on Sony, Repin/Krivine on Erato, and Kennedy/Rattle on EMI.

Not too bad, but certainly not great........1999-12-22

The Tchaikovsky on this album is good, very good, but the Sibelius is somewhat mediocre. I have other recordings of Isaac Stern, and they are quite good, but a master of violin can't always get it perfect, and the Sibelius concerto here makes that obvious. Much better, in my opinion, is the recording with Anne-Sophie Mutter, and even better is the Heifetz (although the quality of the recording isn't that good, it's still a great performance).

Average customer rating:

Shaham has mastered both concertos completely -- bravo!
the best..
Enjoyed Sibelius Concerto and Shaham Is Outstanding
Simply amazing
Personal Favorites

Sibelius/Tchaikovsky: Violinkonzerte

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Violin Romances
Dvorák For Two: Works For Violin & Piano

ASIN: B000001GIH
Release Date: 1993-07-13

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Minor, Op.47: I. Allegro Moderato
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Minor, Op.47: II. Adagio Di Molto
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Minor, Op.47: III. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: I. Allegro Moderato - Moderato Assai
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: II. Canzonetta: Andante - Attacca:
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: III. Finale: Allegro Vivacissimo

Customer Reviews:

Shaham has mastered both concertos completely -- bravo!.......2006-01-06

Violinists are stuck parading five big concertos around the world (Beethove, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius), so they can be excused for performing them in the rote fashion we are used to from Itzhak Perlamn lately. Here, Gil Shaham has turned his back on anything rote, giving us masterful, original, totally committed readings of the Sibelius and Tchaikovsky concertos.

Putting Shaham close to the mikes makes his sound larger than life, which is quite thrilling given his superhuman accuracy. In concert his tone isn't exceptionally large; it's sweet and smooth, incapable of an ugly note. Those qualities come out in DG's excellent recording. Like his contemporary Joshua Bell, Shaham views the Sibelius as an inward work. He is a solitary singer against a lonely, romantic northern landscape. Sinopoli supports this approach with symphonic depth in the orchestral part. The Philharmonia is captured in gorgeous sound. Tempos are fairly slow, phrasing quite thougtful, the overall result a performance that stands at the same hieght as a Sibelius symphony, a rare occurence in the concerto.

The Tchaikovsky is performed more overtly as the violinist's show, but it too has nothing routine about it. Shaham sees the work as serious music, and again Sinopoli obliges with depth of expression in the orchestra. I'm not sure the approach works as well this time--the Tchaikovsky is more fun in the hands of a high-wire showman like Heifetz. In every other way this performance is first-rate, a worthy sidebar to the superlative Sibelius.

the best.........2004-07-12

the best.. sound quality, performace, music are all great. what more to say???

I select two gil's CD in my top ten records to die for list. This one is not on the list, but still one of my favorite from Gil...

Enjoyed Sibelius Concerto and Shaham Is Outstanding.......2004-02-18

I haven't really heard too much about Gil Shaham when I was browsing the classical CD shelves. So, I was totally surprised by this violinist. This album came out a few years ago and I still never get tired of it. I have listened to some nice performances by Midori and Perlman. But, this one will forever be remembered for the Sibelius concerto. If you have never heard it before, then I would strongly recommend you to listen to it. It will blow you away since it is a really difficult piece and really outstanding job from Shaham.

Tchaikovsky concerto has been done many times. So, there is nothing new to listen for. I think Shaham needed a standard concerto to balance the Sibelius. This is a nice touch but it would be better to have another work which has not been done as much. Since I have heard other violinists play this one, I would have to say that Shaham does have his own style. I have found it difficult to decide if this one is better than another one. So, I'll let you decide it since it is about the same as other ones. Anyways, I would recommend getting this CD just for the Sibelius concerto.

Simply amazing.......2003-05-27

Though I purchased this album primarily for Gil Shaham's rendition of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, I quickly became hooked on the Sibelius even though I was never a big fan of it.
An understatement for Shaham's Tchaikovsky is exhilerating. Many say that he takes the tempo for the last movement of this piece too quickly, but I feel that as a listener, it really makes you jump up and scream in delight! The orchestra and Shaham keep bouncing back and forth, pushing and pushing until the piece ends off and you find yourself before you know it at Shaham's personal website looking up when his next concert date is.

Simply amazing.

Personal Favorites.......2000-07-20

In my opinion, Shaham's versions of these two concertos are the best available in modern, digital sound. Granted, there have been many other fine interpretations in the past, with Oistrakh's being one of my favorites. Shaham plays these works with a power and intensity that is simply unmatched by other current virtuosos.

Average customer rating:

The listening ear
The Best Recording Out There
Mediocre??? Never
Very convincing in Sibelius, lost in Tchaikovsky
Forget the controversy and enjoy the CD!

Just Listen...

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classic Kennedy

ASIN: B000002RSW
Release Date: 1992-04-14

Tracks:

Violin Concerto InD Op. 35: I. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto InD Op. 35: II. Canzonetta [Andante]
Violin Concerto InD Op. 35: III. Finale [Allegro vivacissimo]
Violin Concerto InD Minor Op. 47: I. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto InD Minor Op. 47: II. Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto InD Minor Op. 47: III. Allegro, ma non tanto

Amazon.com

Nigel Kennedy (oops, now he's just "Kennedy") has spent more time thinking about music than playing it, and it shows. In England, he's held up as some sort of victim of the terrible commercial world of classical music promotion and exploitation, against which he is a voice of lonely rebellion. Maybe. But he's also a thoroughly mediocre violinist, and these performances are best passed over and forgotten. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The listening ear.......2007-02-10

I think the problem some "critics" have with this recording is that they are unable to distinguish between the sometimes overly languid support of the orchestra and Nigel's playing. The first movement is performed slower and more deliberately than in other performances of this passionate work I've heard, but I hear no deficiencies in Nigel's performance. I would have wished for him more support rather than having to carry the performance as much as he did... Kennedy's sound is full and rich, full of passion and warmth, intonation intact as well. Must every violinist fit the mold of the staid soloist in appearance? Some of the younger listeners have been turned on to the classical world because they can relate to Nigel's free spirit. When was the last time I read a critic who understood this? Good question.

The Best Recording Out There.......2006-11-25

Recording a war-horse like the Tchaikovsky or Sibelius well and still make it sound interesting is a monumental task (I still have trouble on the Accolay), but recording both is perhaps the final test of a violinist's skill. The recording also new life to in my pinion, the best violin concerto, the Tchaikovsky, and one of the best, the Sibelius. The recording has a number of small but unusual changes that Kennedy did to be interesting, (listen to the beginning of the finale of the Tchaikovsky for an example). Controversy aside, Nigel Kennedy is a superb violinist, and probably the best for these two great works.

Mediocre??? Never.......2006-01-19

Whatever your opinion of Nigel Kennedy - the last thing he could be described as is MEDIOCRE!

I feel David Hurwitz has let his opinion of the violinist's persona affect his judgement, and I, for one, will not bother with this critics MEDIOCRE opinions anymore.

This may not be the best Sibelius/Tchaikowsky - but is a close run thing!

I am old enough to have heard Kennedy live in his younger days and when he pays now, he is every bit as good.

Buy this CD - you will not be disappointed!

And, please Amazon, stop using Hurwitrz as your editorial critic!!

Very convincing in Sibelius, lost in Tchaikovsky.......2006-01-01

Nigel Kennedy's talent for self-promotion is backed by a geniune populism unheard of among violin virtuosos (look, punk hair and he plays rock!) The combinaiton has made him a millionaire and a media star in the U.K. As to his musical talents, there can be no doubt that Kennedy has a definite profile: he is an individualist, poetic by temperament, shy of virtuosic tricks. His tone is not exceptionally large or sweet, especially as recorded here.

Like all individualists, Kennedy can run hot and cold. His Tchaikovsky concerto is a total miss. Both he and Okko Kamu seem to lack the slightest interest in the work, which they run through sans lyricism, fireworks, panache, or involvement. The violin sounds thin and squeaky to boot.

The Sibelius concerto, on the other hand, is a hit. Simon Rattle is a dedicated Sibelian, and he joins Kennedy in trying to mint the work afresh. Their pace tends to be on the deliberate side; there are no fireworks but also no soupiness or saccharine swoons--this concerto is liable to both. Their reading depends on integrity and sober musicianship. Not the Sibelius of everyone's dreams, but I responded very positiviely.

The fact that both conductor and soloist are reticient at times also works well. The only drawback is EMI's recessive sound, which makes the violin sound too distant and uninvolving. Even so, this is one of the recordings I return to regularly for this work when I am not in the mood to hear barnstorming.

Forget the controversy and enjoy the CD!.......2005-10-30

First off, I think people spend WAY too much time criticizing Nigel Kennedy's image and too little time criticizing his musical abilities (David Hurwitz comes to mind!). And on top of that, even many of those critics who actually do get down to the point and look at his music-making are influenced too much by that same image and by any conceptions they might have about his character and personal integrity to give an honest review.

That being said, I think that everyone should just forget the controversy surrounding Nigel Kennedy and enjoy the CD for what it is: a great piece of artistry and a showcase for the abundant talent of the soloist. So forget the tacky outfits and the bad haircut; forget the goofy comments in the liner notes (they are quite odd) and the name changes: if he feels that these things work for him, great... good for him. But when it comes down to what really matters, the music, Kennedy is a truly great and uncompromising artist, and it shows in this album.

The Tchaikovsky concerto is an unbridled display of bravura in the first and third movements. This was the first rendition that I ever heard of this concerto, and the initial hearing came along with learning that this was one of the most difficult violin concertos ever composed (a violinist friend of mine says that the sheet music looks like an exponential growth chart!). I was very impressed at the time, and I still am. This is, in my mind, the greatest of all the great Romantic-period violin concertos, and Nigel Kennedy certainly does it justice (more so than any other violinist I've heard). His treatment of the first movement is wonderfully expansive; his intonation ranges from soft and warmly romantic to strong and aggressive. Kennedy's violin playing is the most aggressive I've heard, bringing a powerful, masculine quality to this most Russian of concertos that I feel is most welcome in this situation. He constantly builds in intensity throughout the first movement, until the orchestra comes in at full force with a powerful fanfare in the brass combined with a sweeping, majestic theme in the strings that just knocks your socks off! But Kennedy doesn't let his aggression get the better of him; the second movement is stripped-down (no embellishments here!), a soulful and passionate rendition; an island of calm and tranquility in the midst of the technical fireworks of the fast movements. It segues directly into the third movement with a sudden burst of sound that startles me every time. From there on out it's a dazzling display of sheer virtuosity, and Kennedy delivers admirably.

The Sibelius coupling provides a wonderful contrast to the Tchaikovsky. The D minor concerto is full of a cold longing, the true antithesis to the passionate warmth of the Tchaikovsky D major. Kennedy is introspective in his interpretation, conveying the heartbreaking, tragic nature of the work completely without sentiment. A beautiful, ruminating reading of this cold, Nordic concerto.

Overall, the EMI recording is excellent, with perfect balance between the soloist and orchestra; I especially laud the clarity in the recorded sound of the wind players in their more exposed passages. A message to those who can see past Nigel Kennedy's bad-boy image and all the marketing hype: buy this CD and enjoy the great music!

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Together
Li Chuanyun
Manufacturer: Milan Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Together

ASIN: B0000959DP
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Main Titles - Zhao Lin
Violin Concerto N.5 In A (Excerpts) (H. Vieuxtemps)
Sunshine Over Tashkorgan (C. Gang)
Viloin Concerto In e (Excerpts) (J. Conus)
Chorus 'Va Pensiero, Sull'ali Dorate' From The Opera 'Nabucco,' Act 3 (J. Cous) - Gregor Bohumi
Caprice N.1 In E Major (N. Paganini) - Li Chuanyun
Consolation N.3 (F. Liszt)
Violin Concerto I D (3rd Movement) (P.I.Tchaikovsky)
Scottisch Fantasy (Excerpts) (M. Bruch)
Violin Concerto In d (3rd Movement) (J. Sibelius)
Main Titles II - Zhao Lin

Album Description

From highly acclaimed director Chen Kaige comes the story of a young violin prodigy - an emotional and musical odyssey with huge warmth and truth. Achieving great emotional impact, the films music includes some of the best-loved masterpieces of the classical genre. Works by Tchaikovsky, Paganini, Sibelius and Verdi are performed in the film to great effect by real-life violin prodigy Li Chuanyun, with the China National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Li Xin Chao. Milan. 2003.

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D/Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D

Average customer rating:

One of the finest modern recordings of both concertos
Auspicious Debut
Wow
Very Energetic, but a little harsh at times...
brilliant technique, but too harsh

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D/Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Leila Josefowicz: Solo
Leila Josefowicz Plays Beethoven, Ravel, Salonen, Grey, Messiaen
Bohemian Rhapsodies
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1; Violin Sonata
Prokofiev: Violin Concertos 1 & 2. Tchaikovsky: Serenade Melancholique

ASIN: B0000041BQ
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Canzonetta, Andante
Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Finale, Allegro vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro, ma non tanto

Customer Reviews:

One of the finest modern recordings of both concertos.......2007-06-30

Having cut my musical teeth on the David Oistrakh and Jascha Heifetz recordings of these pieces, I was in search of equally compelling performances of this pair of great concertos in state-of-the-art sound. To me, this recording fills the bill admirably. I really don't notice the harshness mentioned by another reviewer, but I am impressed by the immediacy of the recording and Phillips' typically crystal clear sound stage. The orchestra is also a great positive factor in this recording. Under Sir Neville's experienced hand the Academy of St. Martin's-in-the-Field is more a full-fledged collaborator than an accompanist. In particular, listen to the subtlety of the orchestral playing in the quieter moments of the Sibelius with special kudos to the woodwinds (which were always extremely important in Sibelius' works).
But it is the performance by Leila Josefowicz that is nothing short of amazing. Her use of rubato is masterful, especially in the first two movements of the Tchaikovsky. Her intonation and pacing are on the money and she has technique to burn. The cadenza in the Tchaikovsky is equally impressive with only Oistrakh getting the edge ever so slightly in building excitement... not bad company in my estimation! The Sibelius is a touchier piece to bring off as it can easily become cold and detached. Ms. Josefowicz performance is full-bodied and Romantic in the best sense of the word... it moves to the head of the class in my ranking of recordings of the piece. Now if the Phillips will see fit to bring out some more recordings pairing these wonderful collaborators together, perhaps the Brahms, Elgar, Dvorak or Bartok concertos...that would be a good thing indeed.

Auspicious Debut .......2007-02-09

There are quite a few young, legend-in-the-making violinists. I believe that when the dust settles in 20 or so years, Leila Josefowicz will be at the top of the heap. I see her as the heir apparent to Heifetz and Perlman.

This was her debut album, recorded when she was at the tender age of 17. We'll discuss the many musical reasons why you should own this CD, but there is another valid reason: historic significance. When Leila is mentioned in the top handful of violinists of all time, you'll be so glad to say that you have her first recording.

It is a wonderful recording of the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius concerti. To me, her acid test at this time was definitely the Canzonetta movement from the Tchaikovsky. Could this 17-year old have enough soul and insight to capture the passion and longing in one of the most beautiful slow movements in the violin literature? You bet she did. The duet passages with clarinet and flute were luxurious. The first and third movements were very well done. The first movement is beautifully lyrical, but with plenty of technical challenge thrown in. Leila has tremendous skill in shaping phrases, an almost poetic way of playing. The showpiece third movement was taken at a blistering tempo, allowing Leila to show off some fantastic technique. Her bow control, particularly her fast spiccato, is amazing.

All of this rock-solid technique and musical sensibility carried through to the Sibelius, which was fantastic as well. There may be some slight intonation issues in the difficult double stop runs, but the fingered octaves and harmonic passages are right on the money. She has beautiful trills. Once again, her tempo in the final movement will kick your heartbeat up.

Her cadenzas are standard, and brilliantly executed. She has no tension in her fingers or bow arm, and she breathes with the music. Pretty darn good for age 17! Sir Mariner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields are sensitive collaborators.

Highly recommended.

Wow.......2006-05-18

What an incredible performance. Where this lacks perfection, it more than makes up for it in passion and artistry. It is my most played cd.

Very Energetic, but a little harsh at times..........2005-05-23

I agree with another poster that Leila's playing can be a little bit harsh at times on this recording. It sounds to me like the microphone was really close to the violin, because at times the violin is disproportionately loud compared to the orchestra. I would imagine that if you heard these performances live, they would be better.

The Tchaikovsky is great, though I think sometimes the transitions between sections can be a little rough. Her technique, however, is flawless and very exciting to hear such a powerful performance. The last movement is quite aggressive, but that isn't necessary a bad thing.

The Sibelius is not one of the best I've heard, though it is certainly competent. Similar to what I mentioned on the Tchaikovsky, on many spots in this concerto (particularly the third movement), the violin just sounds too loud and the general balance doesn't sound natural to me. I think this is particularly problematic because so much of this concerto places the violin against the orchestra (as opposed to playing "together") and I think that the balance issues really distract fromt this effect. Also, the last movement in particularly just sounds a little too harsh for my tastes, compared to someone like Midori or Joshua Bell who plays this piece with a beautiful fluidity. I don't necessarily mind harsh on this piece (I enjoy Salerno-Sonnenberg's rendition which is quite aggressive as well), but I think that Leila's harshness is more of a distraction than a stylistic effect.

Overall this is a good CD for the Tchaikovsky. On both pieces, Josefowicz's technique is very clean and accurate and her playing is never boring or stagnant, though I would say there are much more mature and stylistically appropriate recordings available of these pieces. Thanks

brilliant technique, but too harsh.......2005-05-05

Sibelius is good.
In terms of technique, this recording or tchaikovsky surpasses any other recording, however it was too harsh especially in the finale. Perhape that is the only way to produce her kind of spiccato, which is very neat.

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Dvorak, et al / Perlman, et al

Average customer rating:

Perlman is pure silk, but the reading sounds rather careful
The young Perlman's debut recordings
Auspicious Beginnings
vinyl
One of the best Tchaikovsky versions

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Dvorak, et al / Perlman, et al

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mahler: Symphony 3 & 1
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral"; Schoenberg: Survivor from Warsaw
Itzhak Perlman - Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto ~ Live in Russia / Mehta
Mozart, W.A.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 5
Paganini: 24 Caprices

ASIN: B00003OP6Y
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Concerto in D, Op.35: Allegro moderato
Concerto in D, Op.35: Canzonetta: Andante
Concerto in D, Op.35: Finale: Allegro vivacissimo
Romance: Romance, Op.11
Concerto In D Minor, Op.47: Allegro moderato
Concerto In D Minor, Op.47: Adagio di molto
Concerto In D Minor , Op.47: Allegro, ma non troppo

Amazon.com

The young Itzhak Perlman was as impressively virtuoso as the more mature and thoughtful artist he has become; these first versions of the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius concertos are flashy and passionate, and none the worse for that. Both are, in a real sense, works about showing off: Tchaikovsky was creating a showcase for a performer he rather liked, and Sibelius was making his way in the world as a soloist--there is something to be said for performances that remind us of that. Leinsdorf, always a generous conductor when working with soloists, gives Perlman his lead; these are big performances that find the right balance between speed and delicacy. They are, after all, works in which the violin engages in dialogue with the full resources of the Romantic orchestra as an equal partner. The Dvorak Romance makes an attractive filler, intelligently placed to clear the palate between two rich works. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews:

Perlman is pure silk, but the reading sounds rather careful.......2006-06-16

Although a great virtuoso, Itzhak Perlman was never a risk taker. Even in these debut recordings from Boston in 1966 and 1967, he refuses to make anything but lovely sounds, and no phrase is allowed to escape his control. He's an artist who eschews impetuosity and drama. I like the refurbished High Performance sound in 24/96 digital. The violini sounds natural, without shrillness in the upper ranges, and the BSO has plenty f space to breathe.

For me, Leinsdorf is always a problem. The gods are mischeivous, and not only did I have to endure his dull tenure at the BSO, but we share the same birthday. Here, as usual, he keeps strict time and is routine in every respect. He shares half the blame for the low-key first movement of the Tchaikovsky, which really needs fire and passion, not caution. But Perlman isn't exactly on fire, either, well as he plays.

The Sibelius concerto has a more important orchestral part, so we sorely miss a Rattle, Muti, or Sinopoli on the podium, just to mention the maestros who supported Nigel Kennedy, Gidon Kremer, and gil Shaham. The violin concerto is in Sibelius's ripest romantic style, deeply influenced by the Tchaikovsky, but if anything Leinsdorf is more recessive here. The Adagio is takne fairly quickly, however, which is a help. The finale begs for more energy form the orchestra, but Perlman here breaks loose a bit and gives a gripping acocunt of the solo part.

If you want to hear the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius concertos played with emphasis on tonal beauty and control, I suppose this is a five-star CD. But for me, the only listener who would be thrilled by it is a violin teacher.

The young Perlman's debut recordings.......2005-01-25

Seeing the young Perlman perform "live" was an extraordinary experience. The violin almost seemed to disappear in his hands, and one was only aware of music, effortlessly performed. These recordings, from 1966 and 1967, capture something of that: every phrase carefully thought out, planned and prepared, resulting in that effortless-seeming communication. These performances are some of the most exciting and profound recorded performances of Perlman's long career.

This release on "HP" discs corrects some of the defects of the early vinyl releases. The sound is now clear and vividly detailed, with a nice sense of space and weight, faithfully capturing the BSO's gorgeous sound in Symphony Hall under Leinsdorf. The soloist is front and center, but still with some sense of perspective and balance within the sonic image. There is some overloading in the loudest climaxes, however, and quite a bit of analog tape noise, particularly in the first movement of the Tchaikovsky, which the noise of vinyl covered, but the CD makes quite noticeable.

Auspicious Beginnings.......2000-11-03

Though these recordings from the mid to late 60s find Perlman at the beginning of his international career, they capture well the qualities most associated with his now mature artistry: solid technique, lyricism, and continuity of line. The Perlman approach works best with the Tchaikovsky concerto in a performance that eschews pyrotechnics until the last movement. The first movement sounds unlike any other recorded version, emphasizing the thoughtful, even melancholy elements within the score. The second and third movements are more conventional in their delivery, with the eruption of the finale's high spirits more astounding given the restraint shown earlier. The Dvorak was the original disc-mate for the Tchaikovsky, and sounds lovely here. Perlman and Leinsdorf seem less interested in the Sibelius. Everything's well-executed and beautifully rendered, but this is a reading that stays on the surface, with little acknowledgement of the raging passions underneath.

Perhaps most appealing about the High Performance release to those collectors familiar only with the previous Red Seal and Gold Seal releases of the Tchaikovsky and Dvorak is the refurbishment of the sound. The lps' sound was terrible - muffled and distorted. The first cd release on RCA's Papillion series miraculously cured the sonic ills, and High Performance doesn't improve much upon that earlier issue. But the Perlman/Leinsdorf/Dvorak piece is new to cd, and it may tempt some collectors to replace the Papillion with the fuller High Performance cd.

vinyl.......2000-04-05

I had a copy of this on vinyl when I was younger and I lost it. However, I then found it on CD in a store and bought it. It is undoubtedly my VERY favorite piece of music. I love the sound of a violin and I can hear the strains of the music in my head so clearly and I can't help but smile, because I have never heard a violin make such beautiful sounds as it does in the violin concerto.

One of the best Tchaikovsky versions.......2000-02-09

I bought this cd because I am a fan of the Tchaikovsky concerto and a huge fan of Perlman. He doesn't disappoint. It is hard to imagine why this recording hasn't been available all these years. The Tchaikovsky is outstanding, with Perlman at the prime of his youth playing with real panache and flair. The sound is close with loud climaxes and the soloist close to the mic. It is now definitely one of the best versions available, better than both of Perlman's recordings with EMI. The BSO under Leinsdorf is captured well. Unfortunately the Sibelius is not so memorable. Similar to Perlman's later recording with Previn on EMI, he seems to push the first movement a little too hard with the result being a loss of feeling and mystery. I don't hear the dark, brooding quality I expect to hear in this work. Leinsdorf was not known for his Sibelius either and it shows. For the Sibelius, try Vadim Repin on Erato (also coupled with an excellent Tchaikovsky).

Average customer rating:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas
Essential Oistrakh
Fantastic
A wondeful collection
Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!

David Oistrakh Edition

Manufacturer: Melodiya
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Davd Oistrakh and Sviatoslav Richter - Live at Alice Tully Hall, New York 1970
David Oistrakh
Heifetz & Piatigorsky - Historic Performance Film Footage
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

ASIN: B000001HDT
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 2. Canzonetta. Andante
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 3. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 2. Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 3. Allegro, ma non troppo
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 1 In D Minor
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 2 In D Major

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 1. Allegro non troppo
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 2. Adagio
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco piu presto
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 1. Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 3. Finale. Allegro gioicoso, ma non troppo

Tracks:

Ciacona In G Minor
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melody
Widmung, Op. 25 No. 1
Romance In A Major Op. 94 No. 2
Hungarian Dance No. 8 in A Minor - Presto
Hungarian Dance No. 9 in E Minor - Allegro ma non troppo
Hungarian Dance No. 20 in D Minor - Allegretto - Vivace
Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor - Allegro - Vivace
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: El pano moruno
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Nana. Berceuse
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Cancion
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Polo
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Asturiana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
Six Songs: Love Song, No. 6
Danzas espanolas op. 37: Andaluza No. 5
Suite Bergamasque: Passepied
Beau Soir
Raymonda op. 57: Entr' acte
Daisies, op. 38 No. 3
Vocalise op. 34 No. 14

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 1. Allegro amabile
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 2. Andante tranquillo - Vivace - Andante - Vivace di piu - Andante - Vivace
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: Allegro grazioso (quasi Andante)
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 1. Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 3. Un poco presto e con sentimento
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 4. Presto agitato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 1. Allegretto ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 2. Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major: 3. Recitativo - Fantasia. Ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 4. Allegretto poco mosso

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 1. Allegro appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 3. Allegro
Violin Sonata op. 134: 1. Andante
Violin Sonata op. 134: 2. Allegretto
Violin Sonata op. 134: 3. Largo

Customer Reviews:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas.......2006-12-19

This is probably my favorite boxed set of anything, ever. Each disc has its own merits but the Brahms and Franck are passionate and sublime, the Bartok is everything you want your Bartok to be, and of course the Tchaikovsky is without comparison. Long live King David!

Essential Oistrakh.......2002-01-10

A mandatory purchase (at a bargain price!) for all violin lovers- it contains some of Oistrakh's greatest recorded performances, including mind-boggling performances of the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Brahms and and Dvorak concerti as well as the famous sonata recordings with Richter. Please, BMG, could we have more such treasures from Melodiya's legendary vaults?

Fantastic.......2000-07-31

Perhaps the great accomplishment in playing an instrument is to play it naturally, as if it were like breathing. Few artists prove this point as well as Oistrakh, the Soviet Union's artist, a true symbol of the Russian's school of music's excellence. As some other reviewer said, this is a moment of true musical orgasm. As an aspiring violinist, hearing Oistrakh's effortless rendition of the Tchaikovsky brings one almost to tears before such greatness. Some may complain about his dated method, but I favor it above any other artist, and highly recommend his interpretation of both the Brahms and the Tchaikovsky. Considering the fact that people didn't walk out of his performance of the pieces while a bombing raid was going on (during WWII), the man's musical prowess is second to none. Of special attention is the Brahms Sonata in A Major with Richter, easily one of the purest performances of the piece.

A wondeful collection.......2000-07-01

David Oistrakh has arguably the best pure tone of all who have ever played the violin--bar none.

Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!.......2000-02-07

Reviewer David Mednicoff is exactly right about this set. All the concerto performances are terrific, but the two discs of sonatas (Brahms #2 & 3; Frank; Shostakovich [the live world premiere] and Bartok) with Richter are really something else. Amazing.

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