Customer Reviews

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole; Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3

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

 

 

Recently I heard the beautiful Lalo "Symphonie Espagnole" at a Chicago Symphony concert performed by the orchestra's concertmaster Robert Chen, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However, I felt that it lacked somewhat in individuality. Therefore I went on a quest and purchased several different recordings of it by the following acclaimed violinists: Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, and Kyung Wha Chung. I'm happy to report that the different recordings and readings are all wonderful and highly recommended. During my search for other recordings, I read the one really negative review of the Perlman rendition and was hesitant to purchase it. Judging from Perlman's great reputation and other wonderful recordings of his that I own, I proceeded to order the CD of the Lalo of which I'm reviewing. I am so happy that I did make this last purchase. As great as the other violinists on my other Lalo "Symphonie Espagnole" recordings are, Perlman really goes to the front of the line in my opinion. His beautiful intonation, amazing technique, and feel for this music (not at all self-indulgent) are just about as perfect as one can hope to get. So much so that if I were forced to keep only one of my Lalo "Symphonie Espagnole" CDs, this would be my choice. Coupled with the Lalo are equally beautiful readings of the Saint-Saens "Violin Concerto No.3" (with a sumptuous middle movement) and the Berlioz "Reverie et Caprice". I might add that not only is Perlman's playing great, but so is that of the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Lastly, the acoustics and sound of this CD are just as glorious as is the playing. Highly recommended.

I am not a fan of Perlman and have seen him live and been very disappointed, but I disagree with the review that this CD was horrible. I found the music to be well performed by both Perlman and the Paris Orchestra. I do beleive that Perlman is not the master everyone wants or beleives him to be, but he did a good job with this recording. While not a must has for a collection of the greatest recordings, the CD would make a fine addition to most collections.

I'm often accused of being an extreme apologist for the Gallican aesthetic, but I'm really justified in taking this release to task.

I'm not asking that Perlman and Barenboim perform like Thibaud and Paray, but I would expect them to at least give a nod in that direction. Perlman simply lapses into virtuoso vacuity, especially in the Lalo, there's an overuse of rubato, and an irritating sense of his playing down to his material. No one plays down to Saint Saens, for example, and gets away with it. Perlman's runthrough is disfigured and empty with a "look Ma, no hands" kind of brattiness that no old parisienne would put up with. No trip to the patisserie for you, Fifi.

Barenboim waggles away and lets his out-of-sorts ensemble play about any way it wants to. He knows Perlman is hard to control and doesn't even try. Why should he?--his and Perlman's name on the release will make tons of francs no matter how slovenly things get. He didn't really want this City of Light job anyway.

The Berlioz comes off best here, but among the fine songfulness and lyricism Perlman's rubati are so maudlin that a second-rate work isn't really given a chance.

For fine listening of these works, try Amoyal and Paray in the Lalo for its completeness, cleanliness and Gallic effervesence; a ton of good Saint Saens #3s but I single out Ricci and Elman particularly, and the wonderful advocacy of Francescatti for the Berlioz.

Perlman Plays it soooooooo well!Yu