Customer Reviews

Bach: Double Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor, Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (CBS Great Performances)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful recording. But alas, it lost its luster when I heard the Philips CD featuring Arthur Grumiaux (Philips 420700). I would encourage lovers of this music to give a listen to Grumiaux. I found his interpretations to have the best rhythmic, melodic and musical sensibilities of any that I've heard. Technique is invisible; it's the music that comes through with transparent clarity, strength and sensitivity. And the Philips transfers are outstanding. IMHO, Grumiaux, Standage and Perlman, are the order in which I would recommend of these wonderful works.

Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman's interpretation of Bach's Violin Concerto for two violins exemplifies the passion and energy that makes this concerto one of my favorites. The recording was made in 1967 a time when these virtuosos were at opposite ends of their respective primes. Stern the veteran gracefully lays down a soothing melodic underscore, as Itzhak Perlman the relative newcomer, harmonizes masterfully with some dazzling and incredibly moving pieces that would never be caught in the confines of a studio. While some may find it unsettling to hear coughing in the background, I find it absolutely refreshing to have an experience captured live, giving the impression you were actually there with all the perfections and imperfections that are present during an event such as this. As far as the quality of the CD there is no hissing on my CD, in fact it is quite clear. If you needed to start a collection in classical music this CD is a must have!!!

With these musicians, I don't think you could have a bad CD and you certainly could not have a better one. Bach is such an amazing composer and the performers are outstanding. I especially enjoy his violin concertos and it's a treat to be able to have both the double and single concertos in one CD. It's a fabulous listen.

The combination of pieces and musicians all in one CD is something like no other. There's no beating all the qualities this CD has to offer. It has the best performers and Bach's violin concertos are absolutely wonderful. It is especially nice to have both the double concerto and some single ones in one CD. It's fabulous.

I love the music of this CD but the quality of the recording is bad. For one, I cannot play this CD in my car because it makes a lot of "scratchy" sounds. I admit, this might be something with my player, but I have no other CD's that reproduce this behavior. Another thing that irritated me is that because this recording is live, you can hear lots of coughing at various times throughout. I am now on a quest for another recording.

This recording should be your first choice, it is full of life and authority. I personally believe it sets the standard. -> I was let down after listening to the Philips recording of Arthur Grumiaux. His interpretation is sometimes rushed, sometimes late, sometimes too meek.

I bought a copy of this on tape as a child back in 1986, and since have never really stopped listening to it. I ended up buying the CD after wearing out the tape!

Certainly, you can hear the coughing and various ambient noises of the crowd, and there are a couple of scratchy notes here and there in the recording, but I've yet to hear a more emotional and impassioned interpretation of these pieces.

This CD is a classic and should be a part of any Bach enthusiast's collection!

It's a classical garden forereign Interpretation in animated projections from sebastian bach live architecture, Pearlman and Stern Performs it in magnificiencys later/before either big than Sebastian Bach, it's a dream in colapsed memories, but it's a wonderfull and Lyrical expiration for clever dancers.

This counter party flyer is incredible and very cleric to the mind.

I'm wondering in that since it appears in my demonstration collection.

I want my box sealed.

the double concerto is a wonderfull piece of music, especially if Mr I. Stern did not played it!