Mendelssohn/Brahms: Violin Concertos

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Felix [1] Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (March 14, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GNG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,919 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethereal interpretations, October 12, 2000

By 

Mr JB (Karlskrona Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn/Brahms: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

I must say that this recording surely has something magic about it. But I wouldn't really go as far as the previous reviewer, to say it's sexual - it's far more than earthly pleasures - it's ethereal. You can just sit back in your sofa, close your eyes and feel that there's something more than just the music you hear in this recording. Sensitive, intensitive, and sensual, sometimes on the border to vulnerability, is the playing from especially Ms Mutter. Karajan shows his great experience by not letting his own conducting catch too much of your attention - he is simply responsive and supportive to Ms Mutter's young and fresh-sounding playing. Need I then say that this is beautiful? Happily, this is valid for both these lovely concertos.

The Mendelssohn start with lots of fire and brilliance from both Ms Mutter and Karajan in the first movement, leading through the second movement, the Andante, which is utterly moving and suffocatingly beautiful here, to a playfully vivacious Allegretto/Allegro.

The Brahms concerto is no less good. The first allegro, a part balancing between solemnity and violent, tragic explosions, through parts of wondering and restfullness, is showing every possible variation of emotion called for - just listen to Ms Mutters lovely intense vibrato after about 11 ½ minute. Ms Mutter definately shows that she understands the intrinsical values of this concerto - If this first part doesn't make you understand what's etherical in music, nothing probably ever will. The following adagio is extremely beautiful, the oftenly dominating oboepart being put aside here by Ms Mutters lovely playing, which grows for every bar played. The last allegro is played just as the name indicates, non troppo vivace - not to playful, sounding like an almost serious dance melody.

The sound is a little too close for my taste, especially since the Berlin forces sounds a little unclear, but thats of minor concern indeed, when the rest of this recording makes you nothing but happy. I don't think that you'll find any better version of these lovely concertos than these ones, at least I haven't.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mellow Mendelssohn and Bright Brahms Amid the Berlin Philharmonic, March 13, 2007

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mendelssohn/Brahms: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

If you haven't heard these recordings, you have a nice surprise ahead of you. The Mendelssohn dates from 1981 and the Brahms from 1982. Because of the recording dates, you've got the young protege, Anne-Sophie Mutter, firmly under the leadership of the old master, Herbert von Karajan, with that marvelous orchestra to draw on for generous support.

Ms. Mutter has never been closer since then to the gentler ways of performing these pieces as she is here. The accompaniment is very well balanced and perfectly complements the solos.

Being used to a lot of fire from Ms. Mutter, some may complain that these performances aren't sizzling enough.

I found that her interpretation of Mendelssohn was delightfully restrained which allowed for the heavenly aspects of the piece to emerge. I was equally pleased with her Brahms where her violin seems to literally sing to us in a beautiful human voice. Beneath the surface, you can feel the controlled power of Mutter, von Karajan, and the Berlin Philharmonic. It's like watching heavyweights delicately dancing ballet to exquisite chamber music. You know there's the power there to blow us away, but that they want to enrapture us instead.

This recording will appeal most to people who like to hear classic pieces of the repertoire performed in ways that aren't the typical fare.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anne-Sophie is an angel with a violin, December 8, 2008

By 

Ellie "Eilean Siar" (North Shore of Boston, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn/Brahms: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

The same day I received this CD of Brahm's violin concerto with Anne-Sophie I heard, after listening to her version, a performance of another violinist playing live with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I was shocked how ordinary his performance sounded even though the audience gave him a strong ovation at the finish.

Her renditions of widely known works are in a class by themselves. She has so much expressiveness used wisely and effortlessly you forget the limitations of the instrument and technique. She doesn't seem to have any. Since David Oistrakh, the Soviet violinist whose recordings end by 1960 or so, she is the finest I have heard.

Some say her earliest (and she was a child prodigy) performances are the most exciting. I've heard her play Sibelius' concerto and I don't notice anything but a continuation of her genius on the instrument. If you are like me, you will want to get every performance she has recorded.