Heifetz: Double Concertos [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Original recording remastered]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Malcolm Sargent (Conductor), Izler Solomon (Conductor), Alfred Wallenstein (Conductor), Thornton Lofthouse (Performer), New Symphony Orchestra of London (Orchestra), RCA Victor Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Thornton Lofthouse
• Orchestra: New Symphony Orchestra of London, RCA Victor Orchestra
• Conductor: Malcolm Sargent, Izler Solomon, Alfred Wallenstein
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (January 23, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000KP7LYS
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,824 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Sinfonia Concertante

Track Listings

1. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Vivace (Redbook Stereo)

2. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Largo ma non tanto (Redbook Stereo)

3. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Allegro (Redbook Stereo)

4. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Allegro maestoso (Redbook Stereo)

5. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Andante (Redbook Stereo)

6. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Presto (Redbook Stereo)

7. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Allegro (Redbook Stereo)

8. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Andante (Redbook Stereo)

9. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Vivace non troppo (Redbook Stereo)

10. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Vivace (2006 SACD Remastered)

11. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Largo ma non tanto (2006 SACD Remastered)

12. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Allegro (2006 SACD =Remastered)

13. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Allegro maestoso (2006 SACD Remastered)

14. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Andante (2006 SACD Remastered)

15. Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat, K.364; Presto (2006 SACD Remastered)

16. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Allegro (2006 SACD Remastered)

17. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Andante (2006 SACD Remastered)

18. Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102; Vivace non troppo (2006 SACD Remastered)

19. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Vivace (5.1 Surround Mix)

20. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043; Largo ma non tanto (5.1 Surround Mix)

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice Brahms - So-so Bach and Mozart, April 4, 2009

By 

Virginia Opera Fan (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heifetz: Double Concertos [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

The Brahms "Double" is the best thing on this collection of Heifetz items. The chamber music partnership of Heifetz and Piatigorsky is evident in the soloists interplay and Wallenstein and the pick orchestra provide good accompaniment. The three track 1960 sound has held up well in the SACD remastering. Audiophiles should investigate the excellent Pentatone issue (Fischer/Muller-Schott/Kreizberg) coupled with Fischer's excellent reading of the Brahms Violin Concerto in state of the art sound.

The Mozart Sinfonia concertante receives a decent performance even though a little hard driven for my taste. The 1956 three track recording is nothing special - claustrophobic and with more grain and hiss than we've come to expect from this series of re-issues.

The Bach is an improvement on Heifetz' harsh and brutal monophonic version (accompanying himself through the miracle of tape recording). It still sounds rushed and perfunctory - clocking in at 14:35 compared to the recent lickety split Hahn/Batjer/Kahane version at 14:25. Heifetz also indulges in swoopy portamento in the Largo (a anachronism his partner Friedman largely avoids). Sargent is OK as an accompanist, unstylish retards aside. The two channel stereo is decent 1961 vintage.

On balance, this one is for Heifetz fans and the curious. The modest price shouldn't be a deterrant. If you own the earlier Living Stereo issue, don't feel compelled to replace it with the SACD. The improvement is marginal at best.