Customer Reviews

Bruch, Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos; Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole

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THIS is my favorite recording of my favorite concerto, the awesome Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto number 5!

Vieuxtemps was a wonderful Belgian virtuoso/soloist/composer who definitely had a way with orchestration as his fourth concerto was described as symphony with violin solos. The fifth concerto here was written for violin competition so fans of Paganini will be pleased. This piece has everything a concerto lover could want: soaring melodies, expressive virtuosity while never displaying technique for the sake of technique alone.

The performance given here by Mr. Zukerman does not emphasize virtuosity like the recordings of Heiftez or Kogan. Rather, this is a performance that gives emphasis to a singing musical style with a lush vibrato and his transitions are much more smooth than any I have ever heard.

I totally love the unique tone of his violin. When I met Mr. Zukerman, he told me his violin is a 1742 Guarneri Del Gesu, made by year and maker as Paganini's violin, no wonder it sounds so good, it seems to have a darker, more mid-rangy sound that is so characteristic of Guarneri's. This is my favorite tone of all the violins I have heard recordings of.

The recording of the Bruch is among the finest I have heard along with Kyung Wha Chung's live recording, such expressive phrasing and vibrato!

This performance of the Lalo is not my favorite but it is a fine performance nonetheless and should prove a great introduction to those unfamiliar with this work.

For a great musical and unforced performance at low price this CD has become the highest of all my CD recommendations, that is if you like musicality and quality of tone more than virtuosity.

The opening measures of the Bruch should be enough to convince you that this recording is a cut above any others - the tone that Zukerman gets from his instrument is in a class of its own.
He is the most thoughtful violin out there, his interpretations are intelligent, and devoid of senseless displays of virtuosity: he doesn't need any gimmicks.
The Bruch is wonderful, the attack of the double stops is brilliant, while the slow movement is the most poetic and poignant I've ever heard (I own 10+ different recordings of this piece).
The Lalo is firely and on the string. Perhaps not as festive as some other recordings, but just as powerful.
I must disagree with the reviewer who complained about the Vieuxtemps - violinists agree that this recording is absolutely spectacular, a more thoughtful recording that most, and just as dazzling and virtuosic.

Pinchas Zukerman must be the most musical person on this planet. Extraordinarily lush and passionate performances!!!! Incomparable (& I have several other interpretations of the Bruch).

I have about 9 recordings of the Bruch concerto, and even though it was one of the later ones I bought it instantly became my favourite. Zukerman's playing is whole-heartedly passionate and completely committed to the music without at any time being over the top or egocentric. His playing has an intensity that is missing in recordings from the likes of Heifetz, Perlman and Menuhin - who seem more interested in their own self importance than doing justice to this magnificent concerto. If you have the Chung/Kempff recording and like it then you should get this - similar in style but even better.

As for the Lola, I only have the Perlman/Barenboim recording on DG to compare this to, both are excellent and worth buying. The zukerman more exciting, the Perlman more flamboyant.

I have often been suspect of the Sony sound, but in this recording the rather forward balance of the violin perfectly complements Zukerman's playing which is superbly accompanied by Mehta.