The Romantic Violin

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Max Bruch (Composer), Niccolo Paganini (Composer), Samuel Barber (Composer), Fritz Kreisler (Composer), Cesar Franck (Composer), Henryk Wieniawski (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Edouard Lalo (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), David Zinman (Conductor), Christoph von Dohnányi (Conductor), Vladimir Ashkenazy (Conductor), Andrew Litton (Conductor), Charles Dutoit (Conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Neville Marriner, David Zinman, Christoph von Dohnányi, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andrew Litton, et al.
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Max Bruch, Niccolo Paganini, Samuel Barber, Fritz Kreisler, et al.
• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0002EQ40E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,916 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joshua Bell's playing is breathtaking!, July 30, 2004

By 

pinky - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Romantic Violin (Audio CD)

Joshua's recordings of these various pieces are absolutely beautiful and breathtaking--technical perfection from a true virtuoso. His playing evokes warmth and emotion without going to the extremes. However, this is a compilation album, and that is where the problem lies. It seems as though the songs were just randomly tossed together and slapped with the title "Romantic Violin"--an obvious marketing ploy by Decca to cash in on the success of Joshua's Sony release "Romance of the Violin". I doubt Joshua had any say in this album's content as it seriously lacks any cohesion. Take the last track for example: the Rondo from Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole, which is fast, joyful and vibrant. A more suitable choice would have been the Andante, which is slower and sets the mood better. Overall, I would say that this is a good album to "just have." Therefore, I give it 4 stars.

I recommend "The Kreisler Album"--in my opinion one of Joshua's best recordings--since many of the tracks on this album are taken from it. The selection of pieces flows much better in it than in this album. And if you are really seeking romance from Joshua, look to the "Romance of the Violin." You will instantly be drawn in by the ravishingly beautiful music, and perhaps even be in tears after listening to it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a loud romance, March 28, 2009

By 

wogan "the book reader" - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Romantic Violin (Audio CD)

My main `complaint' with this album is that for a CD labeled the romantic violin, the orchestra, overpowers the playing of the violin in so many instances. Now I know from attending symphonies, even those where Joshua Bell has played, this is often the case - the way the composer wrote it. I know it still does not have to be interpreted this way and I do not like having to turn up and down the volume when I am listening to music to appreciate the nuances of the soloist or having the orchestra parts overwhelm me, my neighbors or the car sitting next to me. I am a huge admirer of Joshua Bell for years and remember telling lovers of classical music what a star he would be. He has fulfilled his promise. I just wish his recording companies would

0 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars May be..., March 14, 2008

By 

David B. White "Sagitarius" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Romantic Violin (Audio CD)

I'd love to review this item, but Amazon has failed totally to produce the goods. In fact I've waited so long I've gone out and ordered it from a real live shop with people at the end of a phone. How can Amazon imagine that they produce a good service if it takes longer than six weeks to realise an order. No, I have not "purchased this CD" - it hasn't arrived yet after six weeks of waiting. When it comes ( and I've waited six months in the past for another Amazon CD) it will be returned immediately. I would have benefitted if Amazon had said - It will take a long time for this CD to arrive - we are not very good at delivering. I would need to know before ordering that Amazon can't deliver!