The Complete Concerto Recordings, Vol. 1: Beethoven & Mendelssohn

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Fritz Kreisler (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Leo Blech (Conductor), Berlin State Opera Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin State Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Leo Blech
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Fritz Kreisler, Felix [1] Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00004SV5F
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,725 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vn Con in D, Op.61: Allegro Ma Non Troppo

2. Vn Con in D, Op.61: Larghetto

3. Vn Con in D, Op.61: Rondo: Allegro

4. Son No.1 in g, BWV 1001: Adagio

5. Songs Without Words, Op.62, No.1: May Breezes

6. Vn Con in e, Op.64: Allegro Molto Appassionata - Presto

7. Vn Con in e, Op.64: Andante

8. Vn Con in e, Op.64: Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't Expect to be Knocked Over., October 12, 2000

By 

John Austin "[e-mail]" (Kangaroo Ground, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Concerto Recordings, Vol. 1: Beethoven & Mendelssohn (Audio CD)

The great Austrian violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) did not undertake many concerto recordings. The two concertos featured on this CD he recorded twice however, firstly in Berlin in 1926 and again in London in the 1930s. Producer and restoration engineer Mark Obert-Thorn has worked his magic to provide us with the opportunity to listen with ease and full enjoyment to these ancient 1926 sets of 78s, comprising the two concertos and the two "encore" items that occupied their last sides. The Italian words "dolce" and "cantabile" are the best I can think of to describe Kreisler's playing and his approach to each concerto. Don't expect a performance of the Beethoven concerto that knocks you over by its boldness and punch. It's impact is aurally reduced further by the lamely conducted and distantly placed orchestra, suggesting a discretely orchestrated piano accompaniment. Kreisler, it should be remembered, provided the cadenzas always heard in this concerto nowadays. Naxos has made all this available at the lowest possible price, together with the usual objective and non-judgmental notes provided by their regular annotator Keith Anderson.