Brahms: Double Concerto Op.102 / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op.64

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Felix Mendelssohn (Composer), Daniel Barenboim (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Itzhak Perlman (Performer), Yo-Yo Ma (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (May 27, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000S9R
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,310 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Concerto For Violin, Violoncello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op. 102: Allegro

2. Concerto For Violin, Violoncello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op. 102: Andante

3. Concerto For Violin, Violoncello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op. 102: Vivace Non Troppo

4. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato

5. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante

6. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto Non Troppo, Allegro Molto Vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most enjoyable CDs - Ever!, September 28, 2000

By 

P. Rah "prahcello" (Sion, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Double Concerto Op.102 / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op.64 (Audio CD)

To even write a review for this CD would almost be an insult, for it is such a rare chance a listener gets to listen to a recording which is so passionate, faithful and inspiring.Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, as usual, are superb, and I listen to this CD at least once everyday: listening to this has become almost a religious practice! Like their recording of the Beethoven Triple Concerto (EMI), the soloists semm to talk, cry console to each other, and finally triuph with each other (which is how it's meant to be, as it was writtten by Brahms as a means of reconciliation with Joseph Joachim after the bitter break of communication, due to Brahms siding with Joachim's wife during their divorce preceedings). Barenboim, provides like-minded, almost chamber-like accompaniment, and the sound he draws out from the Chicago band is simply to die for (at least 10 times!). It is simply inspiring, and the last movement gets the best reading I have heard.Awesome, superb, amazing... the superlatives used could go on forever. I looooooooove it!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate orchestra makes this even more enjoyable, February 19, 2004

By 

chefdevergue (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Brahms: Double Concerto Op.102 / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op.64 (Audio CD)

The first recording I heard of the Brahms Double was the Heifetz/Piatigorsky, accompanied with the RCA Orchestra conducted by Wallenstein. It took me a long time to warm up to the piece, and I think a lot of that was due to the flabby orchestral accompaniment, which really sucked the life out of the whole performance.

If ever there was a composer who, in his concerti, made the orchestra an equal player with the soloists, it was Brahms, and if the orchestra is not up to the task, there is no way that the soloist alone will be able to save the performance. With this in mind, one has to give Barenboim the lion's share of the credit, as he urges the CSO towards as passionate a performance as I have heard.

Perlman & Ma are remarkably well-balanced in the performance, considering that it is a live recording. Each has a tone & interpretation particularly well-suited for the other, and the result is a wonderful synthesis. There are points, especially in the 2nd movement, where it sounds as though a single 8-stringed instrument is being played.

The Mendelssohn, despite some pretty brisk tempi, strikes me as one of the more reflective & contemplative performances Perlman has given us. Again, the balance between soloist & orchestra is very nice, considering that it is a live recording. I prefer this Mendelssohn over Perlman's studio versions.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Brahms, September 28, 2004

By 

Paula T. Muldoon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Double Concerto Op.102 / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op.64 (Audio CD)

I bought this CD for the Mendelssohn, but I have a hard time listening to anything but the incredible performance of Brahms given by Perlman and Ma. It's an inspiring blend of virtuostic ability and sensitive chamber playing. I cannot recommend it highly enough.