Sibelius & Korngold Violin Concertos-Sinding Suite [Original recording remastered]

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Christian Sinding (Composer), Erich Wolfgang Korngold (Composer), André Previn (Conductor), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: André Previn
• Composer: Jean Sibelius, Christian Sinding, Erich Wolfgang Korngold
• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0000AF1KO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,351 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On this disc, the playing's the thing and it is fabulous. Originally made in 1979 and 1980, these recordings capture Perlman at his incomparable peak. The effortless perfection of his technique leaves you gasping in disbelief; even the infamously unplayable passages in the Sibelius Finale are tossed off with easy nonchalance, and he avoids the false accents often heard in the treacherous opening theme. And Perlman's toneis warm, mellow, pure, and constantly expressive; its golden glow is like burnished copper on the low strings, like radiant sunshine up high, and he can vary it instantaneously with bow and vibrato to fit the music. Of the three works, the Sibelius is, of course, the best and most familiar; underplaying its extroverted flamboyance without sacrificing its virtuosity, Perlman brings to it an unusual degree of inwardness. Another striking feature of the performance is the clarity of the orchestral texture, which allows generally unnoticed lines and details to come out. The Sinding Suite begins with a marathon run-around, goes into a sentimental ballad up the G string, and ends with what sounds like a parody of a baroque dance.

Of all the European emigré composers who found refuge in Hollywood, Korngold was probably the most talented and best known. His film scores deservedly brought him fame and fortune but little artistic satisfaction; he continually attempted, to write "serious" music but found his old style passé and the new styles incomprehensible. Perhaps this disappointment eroded his inspiration; all his American concert compositions fall back on material from his film music. The violin concerto, premiered by Heifetz, who championed several European Hollywood composers, is ingratiating and somewhat derivative. The melodies swoop and soar, the form is episodic, the orchestration colorful, the style overripe, sentimental, atmospheric and evocative: one can easily imagine a film around it. The solo part is ferociously difficult but very effective, exploiting every resource of the instrument; Perlman plays it with incredible virtuosity, a glorious sound, and completely serious, honest expressiveness. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perlman Back In Print, May 22, 2004

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius & Korngold Violin Concertos-Sinding Suite (Audio CD)

"The Perlman Edition" is a new CD series from EMI which collects many of the violinist's most celebrated recordings for the label. These performances of the Sibleius and Korngold Violin Concertos, and the Sinding Suite, with conductor Andre Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1979-80, are among the best. The material on this title has been available on CD previously -- the Sibelius and Sinding were coupled on one disc, while the Korngold was paired with the Goldmark, which has yet to be reissued. In my opinion, Heifetz owned these three works, however only his recording of the Sibelius is available in stereo (and as a performance, it plays second fiddle to his mono account with Beecham available on Naxos). With that being said, it is great to hear a world class violinist like Perlman tackle these works in the prime of his career in stereo. While I don't see myself buying all of the "Perlman Edition" discs, it is certainly good to have them back in print, particularly this one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perlman is in peak form. Then there's Previn., October 30, 2007

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius & Korngold Violin Concertos-Sinding Suite (Audio CD)

I'd like to echo the swooning praise of the Amazon reviewer, because Perlman was in top form here in 1979-80. His technique exudes supreme confidence, and he makes sure that there's intensity throughout. It's a back-handed compliment to call Perlman the consumate professional. It implies a certain facelessness and efficiency. Unfortunately, those qualities hold true here -- I don't hear any real originality in his musicianship.

But the real drawback is Previn, who offers routine accompaniments tht no soloist could rise above. In both the Korngold and Sibelius he was given symphonic accompaniments, but he takes no advantage of either. The orchestra is no great shakes, but Perlamn is highlighted with close-up miking, making clear who is the star. I dont mean to diminish him -- he's copletely satisfactory from beginning to end. The first movement of the sibelius is particularly strong, although the finale is attacked too coarsely. The Korngold could hardly be bettered for exquisite tone and control.

In any case, control has always been the name of the game for Perlamn, and if you don't want impetuosity or originality, he is a certifiable deluxe brand.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Korngold reworks his THE PRINCE & THE PAUPER (WB 1937) score for for Violin Concerto in D, Op.35, January 26, 2007

By 

Michael King "cinebasilias" (New Hampshire Highlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius & Korngold Violin Concertos-Sinding Suite (Audio CD)

Erich Wolfgang Korngold came to the U.S. in 1934, leaving behind him in his native Austria an incredible body of work, including operatic and concert successes. As a composer of film music, he was nominated for the Academy Award four times, receiving an Oscar twice, for his original scores for ANTHONY ADVERSE (1936) and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938). After composing scores for 18 major Warner Bros. features, Korngold retired from films in 1946 to continue his career of serious composition.

This selection begins with a chase-like theme, as the First Lord rushes out of Westminster Abbey during the Coronation of beggar-boy Tom Canty and races through the streets of London to Windsor Castle to collect the Great Seal of England, which will prove the true identity of Prince Edward, who has just appeared in rags proclaiming himself to be king. Followed by a romantic interlude and the majestic Main Title. All brilliantly performed and remastered.