Customer Reviews

Beethoven Violin Concerto / 2 Romances

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

 

 

Henryk Szeryng was one of the greatest violinists of the recorded era -- egualled by the legendary Michael Rabin -- but surpassed by no one. Although Szeryng's technique was awesome (comparable to even the great Heifetz) he never used it for mere virtuoso display, as Heifetz frequently did, but always used it in the service of musical artistry. Szeryng's performances of the great Beethoven Violin Concerto and Beethoven's two romances for violin illustrate his unsurpassed artistry very well. If you are not familiar with this great violinist, this CD will illustrate his unique skills and tonal beauty quite well.

Beethoven's violin concerto could be the most recorded piece for violin acompanied by orchestra.

The most outstantings interpretations of this work includes Perlman with Giulini or Barenboim, Accardo with Giulini and Szeryng with Isserstedt or Haitink, which corresponds to this review.

From all of these, the cream of the top are Szeryng's, which versions shine apart and are followed by Perlman or Accardo.

The technique in all versions is flawless, nevertheless, the naturalness demanded by the piece is mastered by far by Maestro Szeryng. I have to mention that among the two versions mentioned here, the one with Isserstedt is the best and, in second place, the one with Haitink conducting the RCO. The former is fresher but the latter's sound quality is superb; also, the tempos are somehow "perfect" in the former and the latter just slighlty varies from the definition of perfect (though this is an effect given the different characters of the conductors, not the violinist)

The common factor of the two top is Mr. Szeryng and that is why the title of the review.

So, enjoy life, sound, music!