Customer Reviews

The Art of Nathan Milstein [Box Set]

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Milstein was a contemporary of Jascha Heifetz, and, like Heifetz, was Russian-born, taught by Leopold Auer and emigrated to the USA. Though he had a phenomenal technique and a pure, lyrical, elegant musical style, he spent his career in the shadow of Heifetz's technical perfection. These recordings show him at his best. The remasterings are sonically excellent, and the quality of the sound holds its own against current standards (this is modern, not vintage, sound, despite the fact that some of the recordings are mono).

Milstein's Dvorak and Glazunov concerto recordings , both part of this set, continue to be peerless. The Beethoven concerto has a gorgeous elegance, and the Brahms and the Tchaikovsky concertos are robust; this is perhaps the best of the multiple recordings of the Tchaikovsky that Milstein made during his career. The encores are also superb.

If you love the violin, this is a set you must have. If you like this, you will also want Milstein's recording of the Goldmark concerto (still the definitive recording of this score), and perhaps his Mendelssohn, Bruch, and Prokofiev No. 1 concertos (also on EMI).

This collection of classic Nathan Milstein recordings from the 50's and early 60's contains 3 discs of major concertos (Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, etc) and 3 discs of chamber music and vignettes. The sound is typical of the period and generally rather good. As one of the major violinists of the century, Milstein delivers excellent mainstream performances of the concerti. Milstein's Dvorak concerto is THE classic performance of this work (he recorded it twice in 1959 and 1965)-- this collection contains the earlier version. The other concerti are fine as well. If you love great violin playing, you should like this collection. If you are a specific admirer of Milstein, then you must have it.

This is a fine tribute to the great Milstein. Since there are so many concertos, sonatas and pieces in the set, I will not review every single one of them, but let me just say that his Saint-Saens, Dvorak and Brahms concertos ranks with very best. The Saint-Sanes especially is absolutely fabulous, equalled only by Zino Francescatti's classic 1950 recording. Dvorak may not be as fiery as the young Yehudi Menuhin or Johanna Martzy, but Milstein surpasses them in terms of superb articulation and purity of intonation. And fine musicianship of Milstein is evident everywhere in the set. In short, a wonderful set!

Nathan Milstein, besides being a great violinist, was a great musician. He had the technique, the intonation, the phrasing, the tone and the high musical ideal which he was able to transfer from the mind to the hand. I've heard most of these tracks in the past. I recently heard the Beethoven concerto, included here, and I must say that it is one of the most beautiful performances of this work, the only others rivaling it
being Kreisler's 1936 recording with all the hisses and pops and
Francescatti's (which I think is taken a trifle too fast, even though in execution, perfect). This set is a treasure that must
be had even though I think the price is rather dear. You will love Nathan Milstein.

Amazon's guidelines for writing customer reviews do state that you don't need to have bought a particular item to comment upon it: it may have been a gift, or borrowed over the week-end. But they say nothing about commenting on CDs which you haven't even heard. Yet, this is what I will do.

Not that I wish to disparage the playing of Nathan Milstein, on the contrary. As the numerous other reviewers have commented, you will find glorious playing here, from one of the greatest American fiddlers (though Russian born - in Odessa, like Oistrakh - and trained, Milstein, like Horowitz, established in the US in the 1930s, obtaining citizenship in 1943). This is a fine set then for the "lay" music lover and violin aficionado, but, for the information of the potential buyer, I just wish to give the record collector's point of view, and my reasons for, so far, NOT having bought it.

The set was published in 1993 to commemorate the great violinist who had recently died. It was important then for bringing back material that Milstein had recorded for Capitol (a branch of EMI) in the mid-to-late 1950s, then for Angel in the early stereo era. Later, in the mid-to-late 1990s, EMI published more of those Capitol recordings on their "Full Dimensional Sound" series, including those published on this set, but, in the case of the small pieces, often in more comprehensive and hence preferable collections.

Unfortunately I missed them back then and, frustratingly, while this 6-CD set seems to remain in EMI's catalog, these Capitol reissues are now gone (Arkivmusic has made CD-R reissues, but it is not the same as the originals), rare and much sought-after. Consequently, whenever available on the Marketplace, they are offered at prices much higher than what I am willing to pay for a CD. Back to this set, then? Not so simple.

In 2007, EMI-France brought out in their "Introuvables" series a 4-CD Milstein set (Les Introuvables Nathan Milstein) which returns some of those Capitol CDs - in particular, the "Italian Sonatas" (Italian Sonatas) and Beethoven Sonatas (Beethoven: Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer"; Sonata No. 8; Sonata No. 5 "Spring") (only the "Spring" Sonata with Firkusny in on "The Art"), in addition to Vivaldi Concertos new to CD. So now the "Introuvables" duplicates some of the material contained on "The Art", but again, as with the previous Capitol CD reissues, in more complete offerings, which makes it preferable. "Introuvables" also includes a Prokofiev CD which, in addition to the 2nd Violin Concerto (1965 stereo) and 2nd Violin Sonata (1955 with Arthur Balsam) included on "The Art", also has the 1st Violin Concerto, in Milstein's first, 1954 mono recording with Golschmann. The same material, but with Milstein's later, stereo recording of the 1st Concerto with Giulini (1962), is also on "Great Recordings of the Century" (Profofiev: Violin Concertos 1 & 2; Violin Sonata No. 2).

Still, duplications notwithstanding, with those Capitol CDs gone, much is tempting in this set. With the absence of Dvorak: Violin Concerto; Glazunov: Violin Concerto (where Glazunov and Dvorak were paired with Schubert's 2nd Symphony, Steinberg conducting Pittsburgh), Brahms: Symphony in Cm No1, Op68; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35 (Tchaikovsky's Concerto with Brahms' 1st Symphony also played by Steinberg Pittsburgh) and Brahms: Violin Concerto/Symphony No. 3 (Brahm's Concerto with Fistoulari - Milstein's second studio recording, made in stereo in 1960 - coupled with Brahm's 3rd Symphony again by Steinberg-Pittsburgh), it is good to have them still assembled on this set (but the same Tchaikovsky and Brahms are available VERY cheap on a Seraphim CD, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77).

Note also that the Beethoven Concerto here included with Leinsdorf is not the early Capitol mono recording (made in 1955 with Steinberg, which is now on a "Great Recordings of the Century" CD, Beethoven & Brahms: Violin Concertos, paired with Milstein's earlier mono recording of Brahms', also with Steinberg, from 1954), but the stereo remake from 1960. It's also been reissued on a French EMI release, paired with Milstein's stereo recording of Mendelssohn's Concerto conducted by Leon Barzin, which I haven't found listed on this site: but it is on the French sister company under ASIN B00008LP1N - although not available at the time of writing, so it is convenient to have it here. And as far as I know, Saint Saens' 3rd Violin Concerto with Fistoulari (1963) has had no other CD reissue.

But the deciding factor is the host of smaller recital pieces. The Vivaldi Double Concerto with Erica Morini has not been reissued elsewhere as far as I can tell - fine. Equally fine was the inclusion of the complete contents of the LP recorded in 1962, called "Music of Old Russia", with an unnamed orchestra under John Irving: Tchaikovsky's Valse-Scherzo, Meditation & Scherzo, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Mussorgky's Gopak, Glazunov's Meditation and Rimsky's Fantasia on two Russian Themes. The Glazunov and Tchaikovsky can now be found on Legend: Nathan Milstein [CD & DVD], with a bonus DVD, with the same Steinberg-conducted Glazunov and Tchaikovsky concertos found on this set, but the rest has found no other CD outlet.

But the Sonatas of Vivaldi, Vitali, Corelli and Tartini (Devil's Trill) were reissued on the Capitol CD of "Italian Sonatas" (see link above) - with more: Pergolesi, Geminiani and Milstein's own Paganiniana, and all of that is now available on "Les Introuvables". The Handel and Prokofiev Sonatas came on ASIN:B00004TIPD (ran out of authorized links!) with three Mozart Sonatas - this set leaves out K 301, frustratingly. All the other shorter pieces are on two Milstein collections from that Capitol CD series, "Encores" (ASIN:B00000JJR4) and "Vignettes" (ASIN:B000007TKD) - with much more: I haven't given up hope of finding these two CDs.

So, the bottom line is that this set entails not only much duplication with other CD reissues, but also frustrating absences. Admittedly, these are the arguments of a knitpicking completist, but I thought they, and the discographic information provided, could be of interest for the serious Milstein collector. Again, the lover of great violin playing can be very happy with this set.

This collection of classic Nathan Milstein recordings from the 50's and early 60's contains 3 discs of major concertos (Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, etc) and 3 discs of chamber music and vignettes. The sound is typical of the period and generally rather good. As one of the major violinists of the century, Milstein delivers excellent mainstream performances of the concerti. Milstein's Dvorak concerto is THE classic performance of this work (he recorded it twice in 1959 and 1965)-- this collection contains the earlier version. The other concerti are fine as well. If you love great violin playing, you should like this collection. If you are a specific admirer of Milstein, then you must have it.

This volume set clearly highlights the musical giant that is Milstein. Piquantly and thoughfully phrased with such a clear sense of motion... a must have for any musician!

To me, Milstein was the greatest violinist of the twentieth century. He was a great technical player and was an eqauly good muscian. I love his playing! He plays most of the great violin concertos and plays them beuatifully. His recordings of the Brahms, the Tchaikovsky, the Beethoven, Saint-Saens 3, an Introduction and Tarantelle are my favorites. This CD is pricey, but at least put it on your Christmas list. I don't actually own I've just listened to it and it's great so buy it if you can afford it.

Les plus belles oeuvres interprétées par un Nathan Milstein au sommet. Et assurément le plus beau coffret sur Nathan Milstein.

This is an excellent compilation that shows Milstein at his polished, elegant best. The performance here of the Brahms concerto stands out in particular, as does the disc of Baroque selections. My only complaint is I wish they had included some Bach instead of the disc of bonbons.