Heifetz Plays Walton [Original recording remastered]

Edward Elgar (Composer), William [composer] Walton (Composer), Eugene Goossens (Conductor), Malcolm Sargent (Conductor), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Eugene Goossens, Malcolm Sargent
• Composer: Edward Elgar, William [composer] Walton
• Audio CD (March 6, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000059LZ3
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,029 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Violin Concerto: Andante tranquillo

2. Violin Concerto: Presto capriccioso alla Napolitana

3. Violin Concerto: Vivace

4. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 1

5. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 2

6. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 3

7. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61: Movement 4

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 7 stars for Walton, 3 for Elgar, December 18, 2003

By 

Baker A. Peeples (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heifetz Plays Walton (Audio CD)

Let's face it, Heifetz owned this piece, first of all, for it was written for him and all the technical stunts (slides, in particular) included are played to hilt. Every other recording of this piece that I've heard (not including his later remake with Walton conducting) makes me think that Heifetz had a much better feel for it.
This was the premiere recording (1941), and after Walton heard this recording, he chose to alter some of the orchestration (for instance, the violins now double the oboe melody after the soloist's initial statement, and other passages). The result was a fuller-sounding orchestra, while the original is much more percussive. Whether that affects the character of the piece depends on the soloist, of course, and with Heifetz, all the attention is on him anyway, so it hardly matters in this recording.
The Elgar concerto (probably the best of the English ones), is another matter. While Heifetz's playing is tremendous, I don't think this music suits his personality. There are so many tender moments in the concerto and Heifetz seems to be cold (not to start any rumors that Heifetz was ALWAYS cold-blooded), especially since he plays it faster than anyone else, which simply exacerbates the previous assessments. It's a puzzling recording, really. Also, one should note that this concerto was written for Fritz Kreisler, who had one of the warmest, most heartfelt tones of any violinist in history.
Because of the price, I would suggest buying this CD simply because the Walton is simply jaw-dropping, but if it were only at full-price, I would suggest looking for other copies of that performance. Sadly, most of them are currently out of print.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who needs words?, October 9, 2008

By 

D. Cooke "the reading teacher" (London, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heifetz Plays Walton (Audio CD)

What can you say? If this kind of music played by a supreme master is your bag then run to the CD as fast as your legs can carry you. Beautifully written, superbly executed. Lovely.