Korngold: Symphony; Much Ado about Nothing Suite

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Previn's reading with the LSO appeared just in time to honor the 100th anniversary of the composer's birth on May 29, 1897. The Berlin- born conductor, wonderfully in tune with the energy and passion of the score, elicits playing of extraordinary potency and expressiveness from his London charges. It is a colorful account, but also a gripping, serious one. Thanks to Previn's acute sense of balance, the Adagio emerges as the tragic utterance Korngold meant it to be, while the finale soars with an exuberance Robin Hood's merry men would have appreciated. One of the finest moments comes at the very end of the first movement, where an echo of the symphony's main subject is drummed out col legno by the LSO strings with an eeriness that makes one's hair stand on end. The recording was made in a church and sounds overly reverberant; in spite of that, DG's imaging is solid and the mix preserves detail along with plenty of impact. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 1. Allegro
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 2. Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra Op. 14: 3. Presto in moto perpetuo
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 1. Moderato nobile
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 2. Romance: Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major Op. 35: 3. Finale: Allegro assai vivace
Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: 1. The Maiden In The Bridal Chamber - Lento - Molto moderto, With Charm And Grace
Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: 2. Dogberry And Verges. March Of The Watch - In The Tempo Of A Grotesque Funeral March
Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: Scene in the Garden - Molto espressivo
Much Ado About Nothing - Suite Op. 11: Masquerade: Hornpipe - Animato

Amazon.com

There have been so many great recordings of all of the important masterpieces that critics and listeners are often justified in thinking that there's no point in recording them yet again. Then along comes a recording like this one, which revives one's faith in the future of classical music. Gil Shaham is competing with classic performances by Isaac Stern in the Barber, and Jascha Heifetz in the Korngold. And he's as good as either of them, not to mention far more impressively recorded. In particular, the Korngold Concerto--a masterpiece just now coming into its own--has never sounded so resplendent. What a great disc! --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Fan of Classical String Music.......2007-07-22

Since I am somewhat clumsy and rather slow with this computer, I was delighted to:
1- Find on Amazon Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto.
2-The price was ok.
3- To place an order for the CD and it was delivered within 5 days.
4-Note that no local retail outlets sell classical music. I would burn several gallons of gasoline to find a store. Probably if I got there, the CD would not be available.
5-The quality of Gil Shaham's treatment on the violin of Barber's concerto was first class.
6-I recommend this disc. I make no claim to being a music critic.

great performance, substandard recording.......2006-10-15

While I would agree with the other reviewers that this performance is excellent, there are definitely some issues with it. Let me preface this with that I am a classical sound engineer, and have much experience with this repertoire in the recording environment.

To begin, there are some real dynamics problems with this recording. Its as if the orchestra was recorded using overzealous compression while the soloist was placed front and center with artificially exaggerated levels. I am sure the other reviewers would have to admit that Mr. Shaham was placed way to forward in this recording. His violin sounds enormous!

Second, and this is very curious considering this was a studio recording, Mr Shaham's violin begins to go out of tune in the second movement. It is only the lower strings, but it is very evident to my ears-this resolves itself as the music climbs higher, but I am shocked that no one stopped the recording session to address this.

I will say that the performance is excellent, particularly the conducting, as the dynamics in the score, especially at the end of the second movement, are very well articulated by Mr. Previn. While Mr. Shaham is excellent, I feel the emotions of this piece, for whatever reason, are better served by a female player. I have seen Hilary Hahn perform this piece live, and I believe she understands the intentions of Barber to the letter.

All in all, a very good effort by the performers, a seriously questionable effort by the recording company and especially those overseeing this recording session.

One Of Gil Shaham's Best Concerti Recordings.......2004-02-15

Without question this is one of Gil Shaham's best recordings of violin concerti. Historically it may be the most important since he makes a very persuasive case for including Korngold's violin concerto as part of the standard repertoire of stellar solo violinists of which he is unquestionably one. Both violin concerti are among the most lyrical ever composed, and Shaham brings both immaculate technical skills and soulful, graceful playing in his highly commendable performances of both work. Andre Previn leads the London Symphony Orchestra in superb performances of the orchestral scores. However, the real treasure on this recording has to be Previn's duet with Shaham in the Korngold score that concludes this CD. It's some of the most inspirational playing of 20th Century music by a violinist and pianist I have heard. The sound quality is absolutely first rate.

Excellent music.....Excellent performance............2003-12-28

This is the third cd that I had a chance to feel Barber's sentimental music...First was the Adagio for Strings..second was the songs of Barber and the last one the violin concerto...the cd that follows the other always made my love stronger for the Barber's music...But this violin concerto has a different place in my heart...it is a modern era music but you feel it like you are listening a late romantic era composer's music...the work is based on Lyricism and virtuosity...music is wonderful especially in the second movement...and I offer you to listen carefully the 1st movement's 3rd minute's 31st second...a bow pulled with a lot of sentiment...he is not pulling it with his hand...he is doing it with his heart...Gil Shaham is a very talented young violinist...technique is perfect...he plays so clean...no dirty notes heard...and his feeling adds more to his perfect performing...There is not too much to say about the orchestra and the conductor...I think you know about them...If you don't??? meet them in this performance...
even if you are not a fan of Barber or you are not into his music this Cd is highly reccomended...

M. Can EL

Barber/Korngold - Shaham/Previn, REALLY GOOD!.......2003-09-05

Yes, FIVE-STARS but I warmed up to this album slowly. I knew I liked SOME of Barber's music but I had to listen to the violin concerto several times before I really heard it. THEN, I realized it is such a wonderful work, played uncommonly well. The Korngold concerto is VERY inventive, as well. However, the work that just KNOCKED ME OVER was the "Much Ado About Nothing" suite by Korngold. The combination of some of the loveliest composing EVER with Previn's dead-on accompanying and Shaham's uncanny genius was SOOOOO satisfying. You won't EVER hear anything more lovely than that "In the Garden" section. Because of the composers but also because of the musicians, I think a music-lover would LOVE and even ADORE this CD!

Korngold: Symphony; Much Ado about Nothing Suite

Average customer rating:

Fair to Midland
If This Isn't In Your Korngold Collection, Wait No Longer!

Korngold: Symphony; Much Ado about Nothing Suite

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001GYP
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Symphony In F Sharp, Op. 40: Moderato, ma energico
Symphony In F Sharp, Op. 40: Scherzo: Allegro molto - Trio
Symphony In F Sharp, Op. 40: Adagio - Lento
Symphony In F Sharp, Op. 40: Finale - Allegro gaio
Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11: No 2: The Maiden In The Bridal Chamber
Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11: No. 3: Dogberry And Verges (March Of The Watch)
Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11: No. 4: Intermezzo
Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11: No 5: Masquerade (Hornpipe)

Amazon.com

Previn's reading with the LSO appeared just in time to honor the 100th anniversary of the composer's birth on May 29, 1897. The Berlin- born conductor, wonderfully in tune with the energy and passion of the score, elicits playing of extraordinary potency and expressiveness from his London charges. It is a colorful account, but also a gripping, serious one. Thanks to Previn's acute sense of balance, the Adagio emerges as the tragic utterance Korngold meant it to be, while the finale soars with an exuberance Robin Hood's merry men would have appreciated. One of the finest moments comes at the very end of the first movement, where an echo of the symphony's main subject is drummed out col legno by the LSO strings with an eeriness that makes one's hair stand on end. The recording was made in a church and sounds overly reverberant; in spite of that, DG's imaging is solid and the mix preserves detail along with plenty of impact. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Fair to Midland.......2000-03-07

In this performance, the LSO isn't as tight as it could be, and it suffers from some problems with intonation. The recording quality is only a little lumpy, but well balanced. The music itself is beautiful, and I myself have not tired of any of the movements in the F sharp symphony, and find the second (scherzo) perhaps my favorite. The Much Ado suite is as elegant as any of Korngold's earlier works--not at all simplistic or childish, but rather astoundingly sophisticated. The longest of the suite's pieces is just over 3 minutes, so they could only bore one of a particularly short attention span. I recommend this disc highly, but gave it a 4 star rating because of coordination and intonation problems. I would only give 5 stars to something that is flawless or just very musically played. I would characterize this performance as highly competent.

If This Isn't In Your Korngold Collection, Wait No Longer!.......1999-05-10

If this CD isn't in your basic Eric Wolfgang Korngold (EWK) collection, wait no longer! Five stars out of five for composition (Symphony in F Sharp, Op 40), performance, and sound quality. But a curious CD title ("Korngold Symphony"), since EWK wrote several symphonies (including the Sinfonietta in B Major, Op 05). Some specifics from an EWK enthusiast, hardly a critic. Op 40's first movement is startling, gripping, and, well, sharp (I first played it in the car, and drove right past my usual turn off!). The second movement seems a bit long and borderline tedious (maybe my ears were just exhausted). A welcomed breather comes with the beautiful third movement. For film fans, it provides perhaps what the last portion of the score for The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) might have sounded like had EWG done his own orchestration (this film score is also a must for your basic EWK CD library). The final movement is a bit of a roller-coaster ride with recapitulations from earlier movements. All in all, a very emotion-draining composition (also an EWK trademark). The Much Ado Suite (Op 11), isn't, well, much. The pre-teen EWK wrote far better (like Der Schneemann (The Snowman) (1908), another must for your collection). Film fans will enjoy a 19-year "sneak preview" of fragments from what would become the score for The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)--yes, another "must." But, stacked up side-by-side with Op 40, Much Ado hasn't a change. Consider it a pretty bonus.

Average customer rating:

Nice Heifetz Collection, Poor digital recording

Hora Staccato & Other Favourites

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007YH7AU
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

Hora Staccato
Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso In A Minor
Guitarre (Two Pieces - Piano, Op.45 No.2) - Arpad Sandor
Spanish Dance No.1 (La Vida Breve - Opra 1913)
Zigeunerweisen (Gypy Airs) - Violin & Orchestra
La Ronde Des Lutins - Scherzo Fantastique For Violin & Piano, Op. 25
Polonaise Brillante No.1 In D - Violin & Piano, Op.4
Havanaise In - Violin & Orchestra Op.83
Jota (Seven Popular Spanish Songs, No.4, 1915
Much Ado About Nothing - Incidental Music, Garden Scene
Holzapfel Und Schlewein - Arpad Sandor
Hebrew Melody - Violin & Piano, Op.32
Gavotta (Four Pieces - Piano, Op.32 No.3)
March In F Minor (Ten Pieces - Piano, Op.12 No.1)
Daises (Six Songs Op.38 No.3)
Oreintal Sketch In B Flat - Piano
Banjo And Fiddle - Violin & Piano
Carmen Fantasia - Violin Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Nice Heifetz Collection, Poor digital recording.......2007-01-12

Nice collection of violin pieces by Heifetz.
I wish they had used some filtering method while transfering Original Mono Recording into digital music in order to reduce/eliminate the background noise.

Average customer rating:

An unbelievable Bruch

Mischa Elman Plays Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0001K2KTI
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Customer Reviews:

An unbelievable Bruch.......2005-03-03

This Mischa Elman's violin concertos album deserve being bought and listened for the pure sake of his two Bruch concertos performances.
The magnificent musical ideas of Elman render the overplayed Bruch n.1 and the seldom played Bruch n.2 the most captivating performance we can imagine, as if they were two concertos never listened before!
The recordings remount back to 1956, with Adrian Boult and London Philharmonic,Anatole Fistoulari and London Symphony respectively.
Compared to Elman's rendition, the various glorified Heifetz,Ferras,Accardo and so on give only a faint interpretation of what this wonderful romantic violin music should sound.

The Great History of Austrian Classical Music

Average customer rating:

Has anyone seen Bob in here?
Ignore the other other reviewer
ignore the other reviewer
Huh?

The Great History of Austrian Classical Music

Manufacturer: Columbia River Ent.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Harpsichord Concerto: Allegro Moderato
String Quartet In D Major: Vivace
Largetto - Allegro - Largo-Allegro
Symphony No. 7: Allegro Moderato
'Mass' in E Minor: Kyrie
'Mass' in E Minor: Gloria
'Mass' in E Minor: Agnus Dei
Piano Concerto op. 204: Variations and Rondo
Harp Concerto in A Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 104 in D Major: Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 94 in G Major: Andante
Quartet op. 3/5: Serenade
Emperor Quartet: Poco Adagio cantabile
The Seasons: Finale - 'Dann bricht der grosse Morgen an'
String Quartet in A Major: Presto
Ave maris stella
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor: Allegro Moderato
Viel Larm um nichts: Stage music op. 11
Liebesfreud
Liebesleid

Tracks:

Tarantella Galop
Paganini: Liebe - du Himmel auf Erden
The Count of Luxembourg: Unbekkant - doch nicht minder interessant
The Czarevitch: Hab' nur dich allein
Quintetto concertante in F Major: Menuetto
Adagietto
Das Lied von der Erde: The Drunken One in Spring
Der Bettelstudent: Und da soll man noch galant sein
Der Bettelstudent: Nur das ein bitt' ich dich
Gasparone: Anzoletta's Song - 'Komm - mia bella'
Gasparone: Dunkelrote Rosen
Harpsichord Concerto: Allegro
Piano Concerto op. 14: Allegro
Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Molto Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21: 'Elvira Madigan' Andante
Sonata No. 11 in A Major: Rondo alla Turca

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Serenade No. 13 - Allegro
'Der Holle Rache'
Boys trio: :Bald prangt, den Morgen zu verkunden'
'In Diesen heil'gen Hallen'
O zittre nicht
Ave verum corpus
Requiem: Domine Jesu Christe
Laudate Dominum
Franz Lehrndorfer; organ: Hallelujah por la Resurrectione
Dance of the Elves
Tafelmusik: Intrada
Intermezzo from Notre Dame
Desire Waltz: Allegro Moderato
Desire Waltz: op 9a in A flat Major
The Trout Quintet: Andante - Theme with Variations

Tracks:

Der Erlkonig (Goethe)
Heindenroslein
Ungeduld
Rastlose Liebe
Die Winterreise: Der Lindenbaum
Carmen Quadrille
Radetzky March
The Blue Danube Waltz
Medley from 'Die Fledermaus': Champagne Polka
Medlef rom 'Die Fledermaus': So muss allein ich bleiben
Oje oje wie ruhrt mich dies
Medley from :Die Fledermaus': Klange der Heimat
Intermezzo from '1001 Nights'
Souvenior Polka
Galop of the Bandits
Boccaccio March
6 pieces for Orchestra, No. 1 - Langsam, No. 2 - Bewegt
Sei nicht bos
Faschingskinder

Customer Reviews:

Has anyone seen Bob in here?.......2006-05-23

Hey, has anyone seen my friend Bob in here? He said he'd meet me here. Oh well...

Ignore the other other reviewer.......2004-03-21

Five stars, one star, has anyone actually heard this recording? The first reviewer makes it pretty clear he's reviewing the search engine; the second reviewer is reviewing NOTHING.

ignore the other reviewer.......2004-03-19

I haven't heard this recording; I just wanted to give to something to boost its rating because obviously the other reviewer was writing a review of amazon's search engine and not this recording. I really don't know what rating it deserves, but seeing a recording w/ Wunderlich on it that gets one star just seems wrong.

Huh?.......2003-12-26

Oddly enough, Amazon's search engine brought me here when I was searching for "Blue Man Group"....unfortunately, the closest we get is the Blue Danube. Wonderful though it might be, it's NOT Blue Man Group.

Let me reiterate, there is NO Blue Man Group at all on this CD. Not even one track. None. Niente. Nada.

Heck, they aren't even Austrian. Or Australian, for that matter.