Anne-Sophie Mutter Plays Mendelssohn [CD & DVD] [Limited Edition]

Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Kurt Masur (Conductor), Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (Orchestra), André Previn (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: André Previn
• Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
• Conductor: Kurt Masur
• Composer: Felix [1] Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (February 3, 2009)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B001KVAMM4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,977 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Süddeutsche Zeitung (Munich), April 2008

"The exemplary Anne-Sophie Mutter has inaugurated an era of superb, masterly and expressive violin playing!"

Product Description

To mark the bicentenary (February 3, 2009) of Mendelssohn's birth, Anne-Sophie Mutter has recorded a very special tribute combining symphonic music and chamber works. This unique homage to Mendelssohn includes a CD & DVD, both of which feature complete performances of the repertory. The DVD also includes "Encounters with Mendelssohn" -a mini-documentary about the composer and Mutter's performances of his works. Mutter is joined by Kurt Masur and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (Mendelssohn's orchestra) for the concerto, and by André Previn and Lynn Harrell on the chamber works. This unique program pairs works that are rarely heard together. Performances of the Mendelssohn concerto will support this release. This deluxe, limited edition package will only be produced once--the release will revert to standard jewel packaging when supplies are gone.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy 200th Felix!, February 3, 2009

By 

Kort "Art, Music, Book & Movie Enthusiast" (Boca Raton, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne-Sophie Mutter Plays Mendelssohn [CD & DVD] (Audio CD)

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Felix Mendelssohn (-Bartholdy) (1809-1847), one of the treasures of the classical music world. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute that this album featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter. She brings a level of energy and vitality to Mendelssohn's work I've rarely heard before. Her virtuosity with the violin is truly without peer and sound quality is exceptional. This stunning CD/DVD set should make any fan or Mutter's or lover of Mendelssohn very happy.

You are buying this for the music, but the mini-documentary about the composer and Mutter's performance is a real treat as well. Don't wait -- once the lovely limited edition run sells out, it will revert a standard jewel packaging. I find something different to enjoy with every new listen.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mutter mutterings, March 11, 2009

By 

Ronald B. Ein - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne-Sophie Mutter Plays Mendelssohn [CD & DVD] (Audio CD)

These Mendelssohn pieces are major works that Mutter clearly masters and presents in interesting ways. The Violin Concerto, for instance, she takes at quite a fast pace, but still holds its shape. In partnership with Lynn Harrell and Andre Previn, she does a lovely job with the Trio No. 1.

A point of concern is Mutter's overwhelming vibrato and excessive "expression." To my ear, she now makes a similar over-done tone that Perlman came to rely on in his fifties. Anyone else out there hearing this?

This edition contains both a cd and a dvd. The dvd seems to have a very slight synchonization problem that I found disconcerting. As a violinist, I am interested in seeing how Mutter bows, but couldn't quite do it with this technical glitch.

My last quibble is the package, which is all pink and mauve and flower petals. Blame it on the marketing department, not Mutter, but it doesn't square with the artistic strength either of Mendelssohn or of these players.

26 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars BAD sound. "OK" musical performance, February 19, 2009

By 

Hakan Olsson "Hawk" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne-Sophie Mutter Plays Mendelssohn [CD & DVD] (Audio CD)

I heard the Piano Trio from this disc on the 103.7 the Mountain radio station and got totally excited and ordered it the same day. I was positively surprised to learn that both a CD and a 5.0 DTS DVD surround disc was included for just under $14. The Mendelsohn Violin concert is "OK" from a musical perspective, but not on par with several of Mutters past recording - especially compared to Beethovens Violin concert with Berliner Philarmonics under Karajan. However, it was truly entertainming to watch the DVD and listen to the DTS 5.0 surround recording while she was playing. The REAL DISAPPOINTMENT however was the sound quality of the Piano Trio. It is recorded in a smaller concert hall, and the sound is flat and indistinct to the point that I couldn't bear to listen to more than half of the first movement. Granted that I am a sound engineer by trade, but in my mind, it is unbelievable that Deutsche Grammofon would even consider putting their label on a disc with level of quality. I would return the disc if I could...