Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 ~ Midori

Max Bruch (Composer), Felix Mendelssohn (Composer), Mariss Jansons (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Midori (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Midori
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Mariss Jansons
• Composer: Max Bruch, Felix Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (August 26, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000AYL0M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,645 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midori's Best Violin Concerto CD, December 1, 2003

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 ~ Midori (Audio CD)

This is an amazing CD, replete with two exceptional live performances with Midori as soloist, at the Berlin Philharmonic's concert hall. Never have I heard Midori play the violin with such sweet lyricism and technical aplomb than on this fine CD. Her captivating performance of the Mendelssohn violin concerto is quite simply the best of the recent crop of recordings I've heard. And the somber, darker tone of the first Bruch violin concerto is successfully dramaticized by Midori's playing. What a joy is it to hear Midori offering spellbinding performances of both concertos. Mariss Jansons leads the Berlin Philharmonic in two splendid performances of both concerti, replete with vibrant playing from the winds, brass and strings. Sony's engineers have done as fine a job as their EMI counterparts in their recent recording of the Grieg and Schumann piano concertos with Leif Andsnes as soloist and Jansons conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. Fans of Midori and the Berlin Philharmonic will be delighted with this CD.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Mendelssohn and Bruch in years, May 19, 2005

By 

A Classical Fan "a_new_yorker" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 ~ Midori (Audio CD)

Though I own many recordings of these concerti, this disc is so-wonderfully addictive that I listened to it over and over.

Midori sounds miraculous throughout in both concerti.
Her Mendelssohn is graceful and exciting with great range of dynamic and colour. The music flows and grows so naturally with many breath-taking moments.
She gives a dramatic yet introspective performance of Bruch. The slow movement is given an extra depth by her impossibly delicate tone and phrasing.
Berlin Philharmonic and Jansons also gave an impeccable performance here. The sound of Berlin Philharmonic's string is gorgeous as ever and Jansons makes wonderful music with midori in perfect pitch.

A definitive disc.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful., February 20, 2004

By 

James M. Tierney "Sagging Shelves" (Palatine, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 ~ Midori (Audio CD)

Being newly retired (and enjoying every day of it) and now getting back into the enjoyment of classical music, I caught this Midori/Berlin Philharmonic Bruch Concerto recording being played on our local (Chicago area) classical fine arts radio station, WFMT, while out driving and, when I arrived at my destination, couldn't leave my car until this was finished playing. Not having a single CD of Midori in my collection, I have to agree with the other reviewer that this is the perfect one to start with. I ordered it as soon as I got back home, when the several stores I stopped at didn't have it, and can't wait to play it on my system when it arrives. I'm sure I'll be playing it quite often. This is surely a piece that the more you listen, the more you hear. The recording mike had to be positioned right at the point of the bow touching the strings to capture the superb sound of the bow and strings quivvering. Such power! Such delicacy! Simply a beautiful structured recording. Love it.