Customer Reviews

Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

I definitely agree with the previous reviewer. The Double Concerto is beautifully played by the soloists, and Philadelphians provide marvelous accompaniment. As a matter of fact, this Sony budget label is packed full of outstanding values!

Brahms escribio sus conciertos mas bien en tiempos tardios de su carrera, esperaba poseer mayor capacidad y experiencia, y parece fue una buena opción.
El concierto para violin es hermoso y vibrante el primer movimiento es solemne, cautivante; el segundo una sonata suave, sútil, grandiosa, para terminar con una apologia al solista, un empuje al virtuosismo. Isaac Stern es un gran violinista, reconocido y que aqui nos demuestra sus capacidades, estas grabaciones hechas en los 60 nos muestran a un Stern jovial, efervecente y compenetrado con la obra.
El doble concierto es de esas joyitas que aparecen de vez en cuando, el violin y el cello en una lucha y en una simbiosis maravillosa, quien se luce mas, quien alcanza mayor fulgor. Rose no acompaña a Stern en este concierto, se disputa el honor de hacerlo mejor. El primer movimiento agradable, vivaz se extiende haciendo disfrutar cada uno de sus pasajes. El andante es soberbio, el gemido de los instrumentos solistas es electrizante, un sonido penetrante, alucinante.
Para finalizar una fiesta, una reunión alegre de los instrumentos, el violin y el cello en un intercambio y no una lucha, es alegre, vivaz, fantástico.
Ormandy junto con la orquesta de Filadelfia acompañan a Stern y Rose de manera colosal, cada sonido y acorde en total sincronía, cada instrumento a su mayor potencialidad. Dos conciertos presentados a plenitud donde solistas, orquesta y director hacen todo para lograr lo mejor. Imperdible

I found that this recording of Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra playing Brahms is almost perfect. Just like his piano Pieces, including his famous Concerto No.2, they portray some kind of majestic feeling which makes them sound good. His double concerto sounds great, as Leonard Rose does well accompianing Isaac Stern. Ormandy does a great job conducting the whole thing too. The Violin Concerto is one of my favorites, as once again Stern sounds great. Though Johannes Brahms was not a String player, being scrictly a pianist, he does a great job "improvising".

When I wrote my previous review, I should have made it clearer that I was referring to the "Double Concerto". I am usually not that careless. My apologies.

Such melodic complexity to dazzle the eardrums of even the most astute aesthetic. The first movement pirouettes with unrestrained joy at every bend: as the sun rises to warm and greet you with the promise of another day. The second movement is a long days journey into night: the soul's subdued stroll into the elongated arms of sunset stretching downward from the highest pitch of a towering cathedral. And then enters the third and final movement from the gray tones of day's last fiery gasp: and like a fluttering songbird it rushes on stage in its flowing gown of exuberance to remind us that the sun will once again rise tomorrow. Telling us it's a joyous ending to another long day with the promise of yet another to come. Brahms is my favorite composer of that era. His music is monumental yet very human. Very complex yet meets you eye to eye. Serious and joyous at the same time. He gives us this orchestrated fairytale to soothe our tired souls and bodies after another long days journey into night.