Beethoven, Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Felix Mendelssohn (Composer), Charles Münch (Conductor), Jascha Heifetz (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Jascha Heifetz
• Conductor: Charles Münch
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000006OPI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,333 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
RCA has coupled, recoupled, and re-recoupled their Heifetz recordings in just about every conceivable incarnation, making it very difficult and confusing for the collector to purchase the best of them in a simple and straightforward way. This "Living Stereo" reissue, however, really does offer the best sound so far, and the performances are second to none. Heifetz's Mendelssohn has always led the field: for lightness, athleticism, grace, and virtuosity, it's unsurpassed. In a work that many violinists take for granted, Heifetz's high-powered approach really does remind us what great music this really is and how it responds to a violinist with a real sense of bravura. The coupling--a superb Beethoven concerto--provides a real antidote to so many modern performances that mistake slowness for depth. If any disc deserves to be called "essential," this one does. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence to the highest degree, June 29, 2002

By	"nderrick" (Holland, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

Beethoven Violin concerto: Heifetz plays this piece well, but he plays it like Tchaikovsky. Beethoven wrote this concerto in a different period than the music Heifetz is good at. Each note is perfect (the norm for Heifetz) and the tempo is fast, but the fantasic playing seems out of place for an older violin concerto.

Mendelssohn Violin Conerto: You have not heard this concerto performed well until you have Heard Heifetz. I would pay 50$ for this piece alone. The woodwinds in the orchestra are a bit too strong, but some good use of sound controls can minimize this. Even with the woodwinds, my ears nearly fell off when I heard this recording of what I consider the second best violin piece of all time. (Tchaikovsky wins by a hair) I heard Itzahk in person last winter, and his live performance barely was a worthy comparison to this "living stereo" recording by Heifetz.

Buy this CD, If you don't, you will be missing the greatest recording of Mendelssohn in existance. If I could I would rate it 10 stars, no joke.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The fastest tempo, September 3, 2003

By	M. TON - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have brought quite a few version of Beethoven Violin Concerto now, like many others, I am sure we all want to hear how different master of violin interpret this piece.

I think Heifetz version must be ranked as the fastest, tempo-wise. You can see the playtime of the 1st movement is about 3 min quicker than the average (18-19 + min for Heifetz, the rest usually 21- 24 + min). That is of course needed to consider different cadenza, too.

Some people find fast playing a problem. It feels like rushing but for Heifetz, he is certainly not rushing. He is just fast with certainty and accuracy. It's a delight to hear.

The Mendelssohn is amazingly powerful, clean and moving. One must see him play to fully visualise what a great man he is. You can see him playing this piece on DVD (the EMI Classic archive series). He hardly moves while playing, not much facial emotion. But he is so assure and firm. Shame it's only the first movement though. However, it's certainly worth the penny.

As for this CD, I am so glad that I own a copy. The Living Stereo Sound Quality is good, the artist and musicians are excellent. The price is a bargain.

I do not listen it too often. It is not because I don't like it. It's just that every time I listen to it, I don't want to do anything else but listen carefully. And that's not easy!

The great man is surely a legend of our last century.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, this was the first recording of Beethoven's concerto, April 25, 2001

By	Wayne Scott "wayne-san" (Atlantic Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

...that I ever heard. And it spoiled me for life. I have, consequently, always regarded the first movement as the singularly most beautiful melody I've ever heard. And Heifitz is magnificent.