Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto

Johannes Brahms (Artist), Eugene Ormandy (Conductor), The Philadelphia Orchestra (Orchestra), Isaac Stern (Performer), Leonard Rose (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose
• Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra
• Conductor: Eugene Ormandy
• Audio CD (April 5, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000276N
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,055 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77: 1. Allegro non troppo

2. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77: 2. Andante

3. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77: 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace

4. Concerto for violin, cello & orchestra in A minor ('Double'), Op. 102: 1. Allegro

5. Concerto for violin, cello & orchestra in A minor ('Double'), Op. 102: 2. Andante

6. Concerto for violin, cello & orchestra in A minor ('Double'), Op. 102: 3. Vivace non troppo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Brahms Double Concerto, September 28, 2007

By 

S. Blair "lousy cellist" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto (Audio CD)

First, a caveat: the old vinyl version of this performance of the double concerto is the one I grew up with. So you take take the following with however many grains of salt you wish. But this is one of my favorite Brahms compositions, and I have yet to hear a better performance. Not only are Stern and Rose in top form and beautiful tone, they truly stand alone in the unity of their playing. As noted by another reviewer, their trio experience really shows; phrasing, dynamics and hamonies are immaculately matched. The sound is not that of two instruments, but of one instrument of glorious range and beauty. In comparison, there are more modern, athletic performances out there, but to my ear they sound cobbled together, sometimes too much concerti for cello versus violin.
Not here, and it is hard not to see that as Brahm's intent. In latter years he grew estranged from the violinist Joachim, but sent him the manuscript of this composition (his last orchestral work) in an attempt to renew their friendship. Of course it worked.
The recording, especially the warmth of the solists, is surprisingly good. Ormandy and the Philadelphia are their usual polished selves, although the sound is a more on the big hall side than is usual in more modern recordings.
Stern's version of the violin concerto is also fine, in crowded field with many other excellent recordings.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best performance I have yet heard of a piece I love., December 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto (Audio CD)

This is a very underappreciated work, possibly because it does not give the soloists that much chance to show off their "licks", but it is still a beautiful piece which does not "talk down" to it's listeners. The fact that Stern and Rose spent considerable time playing chamber music together shows to glorious effect here in this extremely chamber-like concerto.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the greatest recordings ever made, August 5, 2001

By 

"thebestdictator" (Charlottesville, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto (Audio CD)

This performance of two of Brahmes most beautiful concerti is truly unbeleivable. isaac stern is one of my favorite violinists and this shows him at the peak of his form. He combines subtle humor and a remarkably light touch into the heavy dramatic passages that the violin concerto is famous for. you can easily tell how involved he is with the music. the cadenza in the first movement is sheer technical brilliance, and yet stern's tone in the second movement needs little flourish. He is truly one of the masters of the instrument. Rose plays a highly dramatic part in the double concerto. he uses the full extent of the cello to produce moving sound, at times warm and at times powerful. Ormandy does a superb job in maintaining a perfect set of dynamics with the philadelphia orchestra. He makes the orchestra very forceful when the soloists rests, but never gets in stern or rose's way. It is interesting that one of the greatest violin concerti of all time was written by a pianist. part of the greatness of the piece must be attributed to Brahmes's close friend, one of the great Romantic virtuosi, Joseph Joachim. the influence of one of the giants of the violin is thoroughly felt in the composition.