Classic Perlman: Rhapsody

William [composer] Walton (Composer), John [Film Composer] Williams (Composer), Ernest Chausson (Composer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Max Steiner (Composer), Andre Previn (Composer), Niccolo Paganini (Composer), Andrea Morricone (Composer), John Williams (Conductor), Seiji Ozawa (Conductor), Boston Pops Orchestra (Orchestra), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Jorge Bolet (Performer), Daniel Barenboim (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jorge Bolet, Daniel Barenboim
• Orchestra: Boston Pops Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: John Williams, Seiji Ozawa
• Composer: William [composer] Walton, John [Film Composer] Williams, Ernest Chausson, Antonin Dvorak, Johannes Brahms, et al.
• Audio CD (April 2, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000636A5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,307 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This compilation of selections from recordings made between 1975 and 1998, including one previously unreleased to create a framework, is a curious mix. All the pieces are slow, and this being the age of the soundbite, none is longer than five minutes except the Romance by Dvorák, who is also represented by two other popular pieces, specifically arranged to include a cello part for Yo-Yo Ma. Half the program consists of "themes" from movie soundtracks, and the comparison between them is interesting. John Williams, André Previn, and Max Steiner are film composers whose juicy melodies and swooping orchestrations are appropriate to the medium, while William Walton was a "serious" composer whose style retained its austerity in his film music. Two single slow movements, from Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, and from Brahms's Third Violin Sonata, make one yearn for more. The latter is the only piece on the disc that can reasonably be called "classical;" as for the "rhapsodic" part of the title, it is certainly justified by the performances. Perlman plays everything, whether by Brahms or John Williams, with the same concentration, commitment, and emotional intensity. His expressiveness is always noble and so genuine that there is never a moment of sentimentality or condescension. The program gives him little chance to display his virtuosity, but shows off his glorious tone in all its variety, warmth, and radiance; the climaxes soar with rapturous ecstasy. His partners and accompanying orchestras could not be better. --Edith Eisler

Product Description

This is a classical CD by a great violin virtuoso.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!, April 21, 2005

By 

Barb B. "femme fatale" (Atlanta, Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Perlman: Rhapsody (Audio CD)

I played the violin growing up and could never imagine it could be played as

beautifully as Perlman can play it. He is unequalled as far as I'm concerned,

but anyone would enjoy this album as it has wonderfully memorable show

tunes like Cinema Paradiso and Schindler's List and the most beautiful

rendition ever of Michel Legrand's If It takes forever, I will wait for you

from UMBRELLAS of CHERBOURG.

It stays in my car CD player where I enjoy it over and over!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest, June 10, 2007

By 

William O. Straub (Astoria, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Perlman: Rhapsody (Audio CD)

Once in a very great while, God creates a musician who even He is in awe of. Itzhak Perlman is simply the greatest violinist who has ever lived. His Violin Concerto (Beethoven) is perhaps the greatest ever recorded, while here his violin expresses the joys and horrors of Cinema Paradiso and Shindler's List, themes not to be missed by anyone.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perlman CD, January 21, 2011

By 

Songbird (Albany NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Perlman: Rhapsody (Audio CD)

I love listening to Perlman's unique sound, and this little recording holds wonderful little jewels of many composers. The schmaltzy pop piece (from Schindler's List) always pulls my heart strings, but the more classic pieces are such morsels of pure treats also. I often purchase it for friends who I think might enjoy being introduced to a light program of violin music.