Dvorak: Violin Concerto [Import]

Johanna Martzy (Artist), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Ferenc Friscay (Conductor), Berlin Rias Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Erica Morini (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Erica Morini
• Orchestra: Berlin Rias Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Ferenc Friscay
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (July 2, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00005MJ14
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,454 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Fantastic Fricsay, with Morini and Martzy to Boot!, January 26, 2004

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak: Violin Concerto (Audio CD)

Before the great conductor Ferenc Fricsay died (tragically young at the age of 48 in 1963), he made dozens of brilliant mono and stereo recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. Many of his most significant recordings have been released on CD, though some have already drifted out-of-print (Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart Syms 29, 39-41 and Beethoven Syms 3, 5 & 7) and others are only available as expensive imports. This past year there has even been a limited edition boxed set of his music released (in the "Original Masters" series -- see my review). Well, let me just say that any and all of Fricsay's recordings for DG are worth getting, regardless of what you have to pay! I was delighted to discover that this DG Originals Import of Fricsay performing Dvorak's Violin Concerto with Johanna Martzy, and Bruch's VC No. 1 and Glazunov's VC with Erica Morini, was available through Amazon. (I tried to order it through a European website several months ago only to find it was no longer available, at least according to them.) I was thrilled to finally purchase this CD, and needless to say, the accounts on this disc are terrific. The 1953 mono Dvorak is among the best I've ever heard, though I still prefer Suk's recording with Ancerl (see my review). Morini's Bruch and Glazunov, both in stereo from 1958, are so good they are in the same league as Heifetz's legendary accounts. It is a shame that like Fricsay, Martzy and Morini are also virtually forgotten outside connoisseur circles. Along with Ginette Neveu, and pianists Annie Fischer, Clara Haskil and Gina Bachauer, these women paved the way for an entire generation of female performers and soloists in classical music. In fact, now that I have this disc, my daughter most likely will not let me listen to yet another Heifetz disc. (I've already had to give up my Heifetz Brahms/Tchaikovsky in favor of the Morini CD on Westminster featuring the same coupling -- her new fav!) Well, at least in this household, Morini and Martzy will get the respect due them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Fine Music-making, January 23, 2008

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak: Violin Concerto (Audio CD)

The stars of this CD are the two women, not Fricsay, as the other review suggests. This is not to infer Fricsay is in any way less than excellent, but at the end of the day it's the soloist who makes or breaks a concerto.

In this case DG offers two fine violinists, Johanna Martzy, and Erica Morini.

Martzy, normally not a romantic at heart, plays with a great deal of expression in the Dvorak; her playing never showcases a huge tone or melodramatics, but does impress a listener with the intensity of her convictions. This is superb violin playing, and, more importantly, superb music-making. Martzy's recording, made in mononural, has been transferred quite well by DG in this Originals issue.

Erica Morini was a superstar (long before the word was invented) prodigy who if memory serves played under such immortals as Nikisch. On this recording Morini remains the star violinst. Her scarcity of recordings makes this issue very welcome. Many of the tiny complicated details of violin playing she manages with astonishing ease. I did not realize she was this good. Fricsay, as the other reviewer mentions, is an outstanding conductor, who brings urgency and attention to his work and is a big plus. Morini plays a very very sweet violin, too, though I don't know what it is. The stereo sound for her two concertos is early DG stereo.

Three first rate performances carefully restored in clean attractive sound. Fans of the concertos will enjoy and appreciate these performances.
The only drawback is the price, a bit too high I think for an Originals release.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A collector item!, April 22, 2010

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak: Violin Concerto (Audio CD)

This CD contains two memorable violin concertos performed by two stars of the instrument. The notable Johana Martzy (1924-1979) , disciple of Jeno Hubay, giving a concise and Apollonian approach of this overlooked concerto.

Then, the jewel of the crown is -to my mind- the most overwhelming and dazzling version of this romantic concerto. Erica Morini, playing on her marvelous Stradivarius, made a rampant and vibrant performance of this majestic Op.

It's useless to state Fricsay's impeccable conduction and the formidable sound (keep into account these were recorded on Jan. 1953 and Oct. 1958, respectively).

I was very lucky to get (thanks to the gentleness of a great friend) a CD recorded in Japan.

Absolutely recommended.