Customer Reviews

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor; Bruch: Violin Concerto #1; Itzhak Perlman

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In addition to the bargain price of this 1990 recording the music lover will find two of the more solid performances of two very popular and demanding violin concertos from the vast repertoire available. Itzhak Perlman is in top form for these performances, marrying his impeccable technique with the poetry inherent in his approach to the scores. The Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op. 26 by Max Bruch has become one of Perlman's signature pieces and for good reason. He tosses off this stagy work with such grace that it becomes more than most violinists are capable of finding in the score. It is a jewel of a performance.

The Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 by Felix Mendelssohn has been a staple in the repertoire since its composition in 1844-45 and the hurdles of the first movement cadenza have threatened even the most daunting of violinists. The passagework is extraordinarily demanding technically, yet even more difficult is finding the poetry inherent in the lines echoed later in the orchestra. Some soloists (including Joshua Bell) may find more lightness and delicacy in the execution, but few can match Perlman's dexterity and emotional sweep.

The Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, still one of the finest orchestras, is beautifully conducted by Bernard Haitink. The balance between orchestra and soloist is far more than just technical aplomb between the artists and engineers: these performances are examples of perfect communication between soloist and conductor and orchestra, making this recording one of the strongest available today. Grady Harp, October 06

Two of the most beautiful violin concertos ever written played by the king of all violinists...and perfectly. I have not one complaint about this c.d. It is gorgeous....Perlman's technical precision and lyrical beauty lends itself to one of the best recordings he's ever made. The introduction to the Mendelssohn is phenomenal. It is so moving, and those feelings continue on through the whole piece. The equally beautiful Bruch concerto is a great match with the Mendelssohn. I recommend this to everyone. It will truly move you and make you fall in love with the violin.

The problem with Perlman's Bruch concerto version is precisely that...¡is perfect!, he makes a lyrical or poetic version in a concerto that is more a dramatic piece than a poetic work, and conductor Bernard Haitink is a correct but also a moderate or austere conductor. But in my opinion Bruch's concerto requires passion, fire, emotion, and because of that I prefer Salvatore Accardo-Kurt Masur version with the Gewandhaus Orch. in Philips, now edited in "eloquence" a bargain collection from Universal. Other excellent versions are Arthur Grumiaux-Heinz Wallberg performance with the Philharmonia Orch., and legendary Oistrach-von Matacic version. In Mendelssohn's concerto is also preferable the Christian Ferras-Constantin Silvestri version with the Philharmonia Orch., a 1958 remastered recording, reedited in ROYAL CLASSICS, with an exceptional Beethoven's violin concerto version with the Royal Philharmonic Orch. conducted by the famous conductor Malcolm Sargent, or Nathan Milstein-Abbado version conducting Vienna Philharmonic Orch. in DG. Oscar Olavarría A.

This is a magnificent interpretation of both Mendelssohn's violin corcerto and also of Bruch's. The interpretation of Mendelsohn's concerto bring out all of its lyricism and that of Bruch's is superbly virtuoso. Great buy.

I love these violin concertos, and Itzhak is all-around better than perfect as usual. Now that I have this on CD & mp3 I can enjoy it for years. I strongly recommend this recording to all music lovers.

You will thoroughly enjoy this cd especially if you like classical music! This is a must have for any classical music lover. I highly recommend it!

These are two of my favorite violin concertos and am very happy with this CD

This is some of the best violin music I have ever heard. Itzhak Perlman is the best violinist of our time. Heavenly!

I think that both concertos are very well played by Perlman in this disc and the accompanying orchestras are also very high standards. Two of my best loved concertos are recorded in a single dics which I recomend to everybody around the world.

I love it!