Customer Reviews

Johannes Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording of the Violin and Double Concerto under the BPO demonstrates that all of Karajan's powers had not left him once the digital age arrived. Generally in line with his previous Brahms interpretations, these recordings feature the textural "weighty smoothness" that made the BPO famous. Anne-Sophie provides a compelling performance in both concertos, but Antonio Meneses (currently in the "Where are they now?" file, apparently) is somewhat the weaker partner. Despite this, I'd have to say that the Double Concerto is the stronger performance of the two. Rich bass lines and solid string tone dominate with trumpets in the forefront where applicable, as is always the case with Karajan.

Sound quality is quite good with the original image bit processing revealing more detail and atmosphere than in other 80's Brahms recordings by DG under this orchestra and conductor (i.e, the timpani in the opening movement of the Double Concerto). One wishes that the whole cycle had been remastered in this way as it would vastly improve on the "mass of tone" sound image on the existing discs. Buy it and I'll bet you like it. ....

Even though I consider Karajan the greatest maestro of his generation, as an accompanist he tended to exhibit faults I don't find when he's on his own. In both these concertos there's a concern for overall smoothness, mellow tone, and precise balance. Karajan's lovely young protegee, Anne-Sophie Mutter, matches his approach perfectly in the violin concerto. She spins one of the most consistent tones of any violinist and shows no desire to crowd the spotlight. The result wins admiration for being harmonious, but where's the individuality and drama? In the digital era the aging Karajan could be a little slack rhythmically, as happens here in the finale.

In the Double Concerto Mutter is joined by a young Brazilian cellist, still in his twenties, named Antonio Meneses, another Karajan protege, I suspect, whose career didn't soar like Mutter's. It's touching that a grand maestro should give the spotlight over to two young colleagues. Meneses is unusually lyrical and rhapsodist in the cello part, plaing with chamber-music sensitivity and gorgeous tone (amplified out of porportion by DG's engineers, as is typical in this work). Mutter matches Meneses in sensitivity; overall the performance is slow and inward, perhaps too much so for its own good. But at least it shows more personality the the violin concerto.

I enjoy the performances on this CD. It is quite a bargain with two great works by Herr Doktor Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Ms Anne-Sophie Mutter (b 1963) is violinist for both the Violin Concerto and the Double Concerto recorded in 1982. Ms Mutter's play is very exciting and commanding in my opinion. The "hot" parts are presented in the Allegro non troppo at 2'40", 6'40" and 16'. A mellower solo is at 10' which is performed with a grace. I am most impressed by the Adagio. As Mr Richard Osborne writes, "The slow movement is launched by a celebrated oboe solo (F major against the bassons' initial suggestion of a gloomy, unbucolic D minor) which the violin memorably -- intimately, reticently, passionately, conversationally - meditates upon." Ms Mutter evokes all that and more. The Hungarian Dances in the thrid movement are played with great aplomb. I think that she would become smoother and more subtle in her expressions, however, would never surpass the youthful exhuberance of this performance. If you are interested in the music of Brahms, or the musical career of Ms Anne-Sophie Mutter, this CD will be interesting to you

This continues to be one of my favorite classical albums. Mutter plays with intensity and emotion that makes you want to listen over and over again.

but if you want a jaw-droppingly intense and stunning interpretation of the brahms violin concerto, check out her latest recording with kurt masur and the new york philharmonic. her growth as an artist has to be heard to be believed. this interpretation of the violin concerto is absolutely staid and nondescript in comparison to the later recording.

These are two wonderful performances of Brahms' concerti for the violin, though anyone wishing for the very best will be disappointed. Mutter plays with much warmth and conviction, with some exuberance thrown in for good measure, but hers isn't as novel an interpretation of Brahms' Violin Concerto as others. However, the Penguin Guide to classical CDs does regard her performance as among the best out there. Her performance of the Double Concerto is fine, but she overshadows her partner Antonio Menses, who is now the Beaux Arts Trio's cellist. His playing is technically superb, but lacks the warmth and conviction shown by Mutter. Karajan shows that he hasn't lost any of his powers as an insightful, dramatic interpreter of Brahms, showing the dense architecture of both scores. The Berlin Philharmonic responds to his firm conducting with warm, texturally rich performances in both concerti.

one of the best Cds of my collection. great performance full of great moments.