Concertos From My Childhood / Perlman, Foster

Lawrence Foster (Artist, Conductor), Jean-Baptiste Accolay (Artist), Charles August de Beriot (Composer), Oskar Rieding (Composer), Friedrich Seitz (Composer), Giovanni Battista Viotti (Composer), Itzhak Perlman (Orchestra, Performer), Juilliard Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Itzhak Perlman
• Orchestra: Itzhak Perlman, Juilliard Orchestra
• Conductor: Lawrence Foster
• Composer: Charles August de Beriot, Oskar Rieding, Friedrich Seitz, Giovanni Battista Viotti
• Audio CD (March 9, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000I7WE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,275 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel
  • #78 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Ballets

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Here is one of the greatest violinists of this or any other time playing student pieces ranging from elementary to virtuosic, so that budding violinists can hear what they sound like in a master player's hands. Let it be said at once that Perlman lavishes on them as much loving care and heartfelt expressiveness as on the staples of the literature, playing with his inimitably beautiful, golden tone, easy brilliance, stylistic flair, and captivating charm. He's clearly having a grand time. His fans will not be disappointed. The orchestrations, by unidentified arrangers, greatly enhance the music's effects; the student orchestra sounds thoroughly professional. The disc's educational value, however, is open to question, because the technical resources of students learning these pieces are worlds removed from Perlman's. For example, he uses full vibrato and dazzling speeds; he plays in first position, as written, only in the Rieding concerto; in the Seitz, he succumbs to his flair for virtuoso slides. The Bériot is stunning; the Viotti, the only "real" piece that turns up in concerts, including Perlman's own, sounds beautiful, but strangely uninvolved. Experienced teachers may well fear that listening to this disc could intimidate, frustrate, and discourage students rather than inspire them. So, enjoy it, but keep it away from the kids! --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration to violin students!, July 3, 2001

By 

dragonfly333 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concertos From My Childhood / Perlman, Foster (Audio CD)

I recently purchased this CD for my son who is learning the Accolay concerto. It is difficult to find a recording of this concerto, presumably because it is considered a stepping stone on the path to becoming a violinist. Yet Itzhak Perlman demonstrates that even the simplest of works can sound virtuosic if delicately rendered. This album is a gift of inspiration to all those who aspire to learn how to transform mere music into magic. I found Amazon's listing of this album to be a bit confusing. This collection includes the following selections: Rieding (Concerto in B minor), Seitz (Schuler-Konzert #2), Accolay (Concerto in A minor), De Beriot (Scene de Ballet), and Viotti (Concerto in A minor).

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beg to differ, April 19, 2005

By 

Pitti-Sing (Titipu, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concertos From My Childhood / Perlman, Foster (Audio CD)

First of all, I beg to differ with the editorial review of this CD, and add that the review made me hopping mad, to put it mildly. This CD was and remains to be both a COMFORT and an INSPIRATION to me as a student violinist. From the basic Seitz to the bridging-the-gap Accolay to the Viotti, Perlman gives each the consideration and perfection it is entitled to. Students who are discouraged, as I have been, with their progress in peices they are tempted to consider "babyish" will not be discouraged by this CD; rather, they will be inspired by the level of excellence and consideration that is given the concertos by Perlman. By the time a student is at the level to play the Accolay concerto, or the Viotti, that student is anxious to move on from the student repitoire into the world of "real" music. Thus, it is a real encouragement to hear these peices taken seriously.

Perlman cannot be given too much credit for what he has done by recording this great CD. Not only is he a master of his trade, but also charismatic and enthusiastic to help young musicians.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pleasures of Simplicity, March 23, 1999

By 

George N. Wells (Dover, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Concertos From My Childhood / Perlman, Foster (Audio CD)

Perhaps we are all a bit too sophisticated. This recording, with the stated purpose of letting students hear a master play them, is a joy to listen to. There is little pyrotechics or flashy playing, in fact much is "first position" playing. While a student may aspire to equal the master in playing these pieces, they are also quite listenable.

As a "student violinist" I appreciate both the artistry and simplicity of these works. It is all good music that has been too easily relegated to the areana of student recitals.

Most of us will never share the stage with violinists the calibre of Perlman, but we can play and enjoy the same music. Thank you Mr. Pearlman.