Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op. 35; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 99

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's amazing how far virtuosity has come in just a little over a century. Here is the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, a work that no less than Leopold Auer declared unplayable when it first appeared. Here, Midori makes easy work of it. Hearing her play this piece is like watching a television commercial for a sports car; one cannot help but be awed by anything that goes from zero to 90 in an instant. And the violinist's tone is deep and lush throughout. For those who perceive emotional depth in this work, however, Midori's interpretation may disappoint. Certainly that goes for the Shostakovich featured here, a work which for all its substance nevertheless comes across as tepid and directionless. --Gwendolyn Freed

Tracks:

Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42: Melodie No. 3
Carmen Fantasie
Violin Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op. 100: Andante tranquillo - Vivace
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: Canzonetta: Andante
Violin Sonata In B Flat Major: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major 'Spring' Op. 24: Rondo. Allegro ma non troppa
Meditation from Thais
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor, Op. 77: Burlesque -Allegro con brio

Customer Reviews:

A Vengerov Sampler: Life is just a box of chocolates...........2005-08-16

For some reason I have always been averse to recordings of single movements from other disparate recordings which usually makes the spotlighted artist seem a bit crass and commercial. But amazingly enough this THE ROAD I TRAVEL featuring Maxim Vengerov is anything but that! Perhaps it is just that this young violinist weaves such a spell that little tidbits from here and there seem justifiable: then perhaps it is just a forgiving ear that can jump around his 'Road' and share the good memories.

The selections vary from concerto movements from Shostakovich, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky to movements from sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms to oddities like the Franz Waxman 'Carmen Fantasia'. Different conductors and orchestras and pianists partner each excerpt. But it just comes together. This is a fine recording for friends who don't understand the fanaticism of Vengerov's following. It makes a fine calling card for the virtuoso! Grady Harp, August 05

Over hyped former prodigy.......2005-02-10

Maxim is a over hyped former child prodigy. Among his generation, Gil Shaham, Joshua Bell, Kyoko Takezawa, Chee Yun, Christian Tetzlaff's intonation and music are more pleasing to my ears. Why I cannot find Kyoko and Chee Yun's records.

vengerov is the best.......2004-09-02

Wow... I've been a huge fan of Vengerov's for about 6 years now, but he continues to surprise me. When I first heard him play, I thought he was the best romanticist I had ever heard, but he probably wouldn't be good at much else. Then I heard him play unaccompanied Bach on a period instrument, and it was pristine. I had never heard him play any classical music, but thought that there was NO WAY someone could be a master of all three broad musical styles, but once again Vengerov surpasses my EXTREMELY lofty expectations and proves that he is a master of the classical style as well. These recordings of Mozart's sonatas are among the best i've ever heard, in every way. His technical proficiency is beyond reproach, and his style is flawless from beginning to end. This CD makes me want to dust off all of my Mozart sonatas and start playing them again!! I purchased this disc for the sole purpose of hearing Vengerov play Mozart, and I'm thrilled that I did so. This is another new Vengerov purchase that is easily one of my favorite CDs in my collection. I'm beginning to think that he can do no wrong!

virtuoso vs. choice of music ?.......2004-02-12

While the violinist was excellent I thought his choice of music was not. I only recognized two or three of the selections that were offered on this CD. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed that he had not chosen more recognizable selections. Since I purchased this CD because of the "Meditation"piece from "Thais" I suppose I got what I wanted but, nevertheless I am still disappointed in the CD as a whole. I suppose it is alright for someone with more esthetic tastes than mine. As for Vengerov "B R A V O"!!!

Definitely a Five-Star Violinist.......2003-05-30

And this CD is one of his best. Be sure the bass on your system is turned up and get ready to spend one of the most enjoyable hours of your life.

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op. 35; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 99

Average customer rating:

Midori lacks the romantic soul for Tchaikovsky, but she's surprisingly good in the bleak Shostakovich
OK
Mature Midori and Tchaikovsky
Excellent Shostakovich
Excellent Tchaikovsky Concerto, But...

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op. 35; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 99

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000C28P
Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op 35: Allegro Moderato
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op 35: Canzonetta. Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op 35: Finale. Allegro Vivacissimo
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra N. 1 In A Minor, Op 99: Nocturne. Adagio
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra N. 1 In A Minor, Op 99: Scherzo. Allegro Non Troppo
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra N. 1 In A Minor, Op 99: Passacaglia. Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra N. 1 In A Minor, Op 99: Burlesca. Allegro Con Brio

Amazon.com

It's amazing how far virtuosity has come in just a little over a century. Here is the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, a work that no less than Leopold Auer declared unplayable when it first appeared. Here, Midori makes easy work of it. Hearing her play this piece is like watching a television commercial for a sports car; one cannot help but be awed by anything that goes from zero to 90 in an instant. And the violinist's tone is deep and lush throughout. For those who perceive emotional depth in this work, however, Midori's interpretation may disappoint. Certainly that goes for the Shostakovich featured here, a work which for all its substance nevertheless comes across as tepid and directionless. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Midori lacks the romantic soul for Tchaikovsky, but she's surprisingly good in the bleak Shostakovich.......2006-07-25

I often wonder if Midori still plays to her Japanese fan base. As an adult she's made of herself a rather tuogh-minded New Yorker, but the porcelain geisha doll image is hard to shake. In the Tchaikovsky concerto Abbado starts off with a big orchestral statement, but as soon as Midori enters, the temperature falls and the scale is pulled back. She does nothing wrong, but as Mr. Kwok says below, Abbado accompanied Mullova and Vengerov in the Tchaikovsky, and they made heroic use of the opportunity. Midori can't be accused of aloofness--she plays with commitment, just on a recessive stage. I can see someone buying this recording simply to hear the Berlin Phil. in a live concert and gorgeous sound.

The Shotakovich First needs a violinist who sympathizes with the composer's bleakness, satire, and melancholy sweetness born of suffering. As you might expect, Midori does best in the opening Nocturne, which gives her scope for exquisite control in the softest registers. She's as good as anyone here. She puts a barbed rasp in her tone for the Scherzo but doesn't follow up with any bte inher interpreatation.

This work really tests the soloist in the long cadenza to the Passacaglia. Abbado gives Midori a strong platform in the orchestral intro, which for once doesn't plod, and Midori glides into the cadenza with muted, controlled reflection. At one extreme Oistrakh played this music for tragic power, while at the other Hilary Hahn went for inward meditation. Midori commits herself to a big, extroverted account and really digs in despite her smallish tone. You don't get Vengerov's amazing volume and intensity, but this is sitll very good, with razor-sharp intonation. As before, Abbado starts off strong in the Burlesca finale (how strange that he's never recorded a Shostakovich symphony), and Midori keeps up her end with nimble precision.

In sum, the Tchaikovsky lacks Russian soul, but Midori imparts a wide range of color and technique to the Shostakovich. It's a real success.

OK.......2002-09-23

the reviewer named John Kwok is wrong,Vengernov's recording is not the best HEIFETZ'S is the one

Mature Midori and Tchaikovsky.......2002-07-12

Bought this for the Tchaikovsky based on other customer reviews and wasn't disappointed. She is just brilliant in her performance, as you would expect but the nuances are more evident than some of the previous works I have of hers. Maturity, insight, experience all shine through her incredible musicianship. I don't care for Shostakovich as much and no matter how well it's played, I don't find the music endearing. The Tchaikovsky is most endearing! Highly recommended for your Tchaikovsky collection!

Excellent Shostakovich.......2002-05-05

I bought this CD for the Tchaikovsky but have ended up loving the Shostakovich more. I'd never heard the Shosty before and the second movement absolutely paralyzed me with terror and amazement--psycho jungle music! The slower movements are not as breathtakingly wonderful, but the second and fourth movements are amazing. I think the inconsistencies can be explained by the fact that Midori was performing both of these huge concertos in the same concert--I'm sure she was exhausted. The Tchaikovsky is gorgeous, but I prefer Milstein's recording. Overall, a wonderful CD to add to your collection.

Excellent Tchaikovsky Concerto, But..........2001-11-25

Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic have recorded the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at least twice, with Vengerov, and now, Midori, as soloists. In both instances the Berlin Philharmonic's playing is absolutely flawless. The question is which soloist should you consider for this frequently recorded violin concerto. Although Midori's playing is exquisite and deserves recognition as among the best out there, she lacks the emotional depth I've heard from the likes of Vengerov or Accardo. Certainly she produces a very sweet lyrical tone from her violin; her technical skills are absolutely impeccable. However, I did not find her performance as emotionally stirring as those I've heard from Vengerov, Accardo, or Milstein. Admittedly this is my own personal bias; in fairness to her, this recording is mentioned as among the best of this concerto in the Penguin Guide to Classical CDs. If you are a fan of Midori's, you'll definitely want this CD. Otherwise, I would recommend Vengerov's Teldec recording as the best recent recording of this concerto.

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001FGAXU
Release Date: 2004-02-24

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Evgeny Kissin in Concert (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos

Average customer rating:

Interesting Program, Good Playing
Perlman needs more experience

Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos
Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Ilya Gringolts , Itzhak Perlman , and The Isreal Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prokofiev and Sibelius Violin Concertos

ASIN: B00006AKUY
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Canzonetta: Andante
III. Finale: Allegro Vivacissimo
I. Nocturne: Moderato
II. Scherzo: Allegro
III. Passacaglia: Andante
Cadenza
IV. Burlesque: Allegro Con Brio

Amazon.com

Born in 1982, violinist Ilya Gringolts, an Itzhak Perlman protégé, seems primed for a major career, as his DG concerto debut disc reveals. His Tchaikovsky concerto easily holds its own among dozens of other versions stuffing the bins. Gringolts's virile yet singing timbre and direct, proportioned musicianship are matched by Perlman's incisive podium support and an attractive orchestral image that brings the composer's lovely woodwind writing to the fore. The young violinist similarly shines in Shostakovich's First Concerto, gearing his sonority to fit each movement's distinct mood. He commences the cadenza in sustained, raspy tones that grow more vibrant and robust as the music progresses. Perlman as soloist, however, enjoyed a more decisively projected, better balanced, and texturally diversified accompaniment from the same orchestra under Zubin Mehta's baton. All told, Gringolts's artistry is well worth your attention, and DG's investment. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Program, Good Playing.......2003-09-17

I was not familiar with either of these concertos, except in a general way, hearing them occasionally on the radio, before buying this disc, so I have no other performances to compare them to. As it is, I am quite satisfied with this Gringolts/Perlman disc, both as to the playing, and more particularly, the programming. The flashy, romantic Tchaikovsky concerto, comes first. It is fresh and enjoyable, and more than competently played. The moody Shostakovich fills out this 73 minute disc, giving it a depth and edge that most paired concerto discs don't have. Again, the playing and the conducting seem fine to me. The recording could be a little better, but I doubt that I'll be cruising the net or flipping through bins to find the 'ultimate' performances of either work. I can listen to these quite happily for a while. And as I see used discs are available at a bargain price, I'd say go for it. You probably won't be disappointed.

Perlman needs more experience.......2003-01-31

This recording features a 20-year-old protégé of Itzhak Perlman, Ilya Gringolts, with the Israel Philharmonic, conducted by Perlman himself. I know that Perlman is conducting more and playing the violin less, but on the evidence of this recording I'd have to say he should have waited awhile longer to record these pieces.

Gringolts himself is a standout. But the accompaniment provided by Perlman, particularly in the Shostakovich, is much too genial, too self-effacing. There needs to be grit in the orchestral accompaniment in the Shosty and here there is none. Maybe it's partly the fault of the famously bad acoustics of the IPO's Mann Auditorium, but there have been superior recordings made in that venue.

The Tchaikovsky is better, at least partly because there is no need for 20th-century angst in the piece. And the first two movements are really quite lovely, a bit inward, an approach I happen to like. But the third movement is, how shall I say?, frenetic rather than impetuous. And again there is too little spine in Perlman's accompaniment.

There are better versions of both concertos. Mr Gringolts is young, and he'll almost certainly have a major career and therefore the opportunity to records these concerti again.

Scott Morrison

Soundscapes, Vol. 1: A Delos Digital Compact Disc Sampler

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Soundscapes, Vol. 1: A Delos Digital Compact Disc Sampler
George Frideric Handel , Antonio Vivaldi , Johann Sebastian Bach , Samuel Scheidt , Georg Philipp Telemann , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Ludwig van Beethoven , Franz Joseph Haydn , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Franz Schubert , Franz Liszt , Antonin Dvorak , Carlos Salzedo , Francisco Tarrega (y Eixea) , Maurice Ravel , Igor Stravinsky , Dmitry Shostakovich , Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra , New York Symphony Orchestra , Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra , New York Chamber Symphony , Philadelphia Orchestra , Gerard Schwarz , Eugene Ormandy , Robert Noehren , American Brass Quintet , and Arleen Auger
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000719
Release Date: 1992-12-14

Tracks:

Water Music
Four Seasons
Toccata in D Minor
Battle Suite, Intrada
Concerto in D Major, Adagio
Care Selve, Atalanta
Symphony #41, I (excerpt)
Sonata Op. 57 (Appassionata) - I (excerpt)
Trumpet Concerto, I (excerpt: Trumpet Concerto, I (excerpt)
Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale) IV
Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique) - IV
Shepherd on the Rock (excerpt: Shepherd on the Rock (excerpt)
Sonata in B Minor (excerpt)
Silent Woods (Waldesruhe)
Symphony No. 5 - IV (excerpt)
Song In The Night
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Ondine (excerpt)
String Quartet, Assez VII (excerpt)
Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier's Tale) - The Soldier's March
Concerto No. 1 - IV (excerpt: Concerto No. 1 - IV (excerpt)

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.1 in a minor, Op.77 (Op.99) / Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op.35

Average customer rating:

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.1 in a minor, Op.77 (Op.99) / Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op.35
Latica Honda-Rosenberg , Lior Shambadal , and Symphony Orchestra RTV Slovenia
Manufacturer: Oehms Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00008PC8N
Release Date: 2004-03-22

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

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