Customer Reviews

Bach: Violin Concertos

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, I'll confess, I bought the CD just for the first three tracks, but what amazing tracks they are! Arguably, it's hard to find a better rendition of Bach's Violin Concerto No. 2 in E, particularly the first and third movements. Best of all, the first movement is not the truncated version, as one is apt to hear regarding certain recordings of Bach's concerti (e.g., the 3rd Brandenburg Concerto), but rest assured, this one is rendered in its entirety. Furthermore the price can't be beat. So, if you're in the market for recordings of these concerti, what are you waiting for?

I bought this CD to get the full collection of Bach Violin concertos and have been very happy with it. What a nice addition to have the two violin concerto too. I'm working on the Bach Concerto #1 in A minor and this has been a great help. Perlman's playing is clear, and beautiful, and the violin really sings in the solo sections. Zukerman and Perlman do a great job in the double concerto, with the two violins in engaged in a lively and warm conversation. You'll enjoy this CD whether to learn or relax.

The bach violin concertos have for me always been something ive always enjoyed listening to over and over. I suppose that is why such music is called classical music - it is timeless and still well loved after 1-2 hundred years after its 1st performance.

I own 3 renditions of bach violin concertos - by Takako Nishizaki, Nigel Kennedy and this one. There is no denying that Pearlman, Baremboim and Zuckerman are big names - thats why i bought it in the 1st place. While i generally have no complaints about the playing, the sound quality and clarity and overall coordination betn soloist and orchestra all which are pretty good or outstanding, my 'grouse' is a matter of the interpretation. I kind of felt that it lacked a bit of 'bounce' or 'ooomph' so typical of baroque music since the tempo is somewhat slower compared to that played by Takako Nishizaki (my favourite) or Kennedy (fastest). I have also heard that Yehudi Menuhin also had an outstanding recording of these concertos.

On the other hand, i suppose that is the beauty of classical music. There is no right or wrong interpretation of music. Everything is subject to the personal tastes of conductor and soloists - how they feel it should be played/expressed. that's why no 2 pieces sound alike. As a listener ,as to which recording is best is up to one's own personal taste. One man's meat is another man's poison.

One of the most unique aspects of this disc is the inclusion of the G minor Violin Concerto, thought to be a reconstruction of an earlier work for oboe and harpsichord.

Playing is uniform across the board, although audio quality seems to suffer a bit from muddied closeness in the first concerto (E Major). The 'Double' shines forth in the magnetic interplay between Perlman and Zuckerman; the friendly competition between the two gives the piece a "dueling fiddles" feel that is only surpassed by Andrew Manze's rollicking account.

Perlman's reading of the 'Double' with Isaac Stern on Sony's Masterworks series is superior in many respects, but this recording is certainly a bargain, and the love both soloists have for this music is palpable throughout.

This CD is a bargain, a wonderful collection of music at a very reasonable price for the quality.

The first movement, Vivace, of Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor bursts forth at the listener, like a fully present sun rise. Immediately the elegant echo effects begin as the two violins compliment each other, sometimes overlapping to create a tapestry of rich warm textured sound, always energetic and overty apparant. No sooner is the listener accoustomed to the refrain patterns of the two violins, than the patterns change and increase in complexity. In the second movement, the Largo, ma non tanto, the piece becomes a little sweet, a little sentimental but it is complexity that saves it from sentiment. In the third movement, the Allegro, we are treated to a robust and intricate maze of scales, interweaving, ascending, descending, taking us to the fully balanced and refined close.

The price is very reasonable for excellent music.

I can understand the criticism and praise from the reviewers on this interpretation. Once again, it's a matter of taste and ultimately liking the balance between technical skill and expression. Sometimes the tempi can alter the course of appreciation as well, and I think that's more the case here.

To my ear, this is a very solid and beautiful rendition. Perlman plays with a very distinct crispness and Zukerman contributes handsomely on this recording. The slow movement of the double violin concerto has almost a pulse to it which is unique but I don't find it distracting or taking away from the movement at all. All the pieces are played beautifully with feeling and mastery of technique. I have several versions of these pieces and this is the one I come back to most often.

I was looking for a recording of Bach's Concerto No. 1 in A minor so that I could hear how to better play the accompaniment (on piano) and my daughter could hear a master play the piece on violin. We listened to 3 different recordings, and this was our favorite by far. The concerto was played at a great tempo with just the right amount of vibrato.

These are good-to-excellent performances on a bargain disc. Probably the best single disc set of these concertos at any price.

I am neither a musician nor a huge classical music fan. However, I do enjoy classical music on occasion and especially Bach. This seemed an ideal collection of his concertos for a very reasonable price. I am quite pleased with it overall. The music is warm, engaging and rich. Perfect for a relaxing evening of reading, this collection plays equally well as a standalone experience with good quality headphones.

While I am not a classical music aficionado, I am an audiophile and pay close attention to recording quality. This is very well recorded, but in the lossy mp3 album format which I purchased there is some blurring in the higher ranges. This is to be expected, but if you want pristine audio quality I suggest purchasing the CD instead of the mp3 album.

Most people reading this will have heard Bach's violin concertos many times before, so it's really the performers' interpretations that make this album special. All the performances are very good-to-outstanding, but far too subject to one's individual taste to properly rate. But if you love Bach, this is absolutely worth a listen.