Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47 / Goldmark: Violin Concerto, Op. 28

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Karl Goldmark (Composer), Esa-Pekka Salonen (Conductor), Los Angeles Philharmonic (Orchestra), Joshua Bell (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joshua Bell
• Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic
• Conductor: Esa-Pekka Salonen
• Composer: Jean Sibelius, Karl Goldmark
• Audio CD (August 22, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004WK4D
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,364 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Allegro moderato

2. Adagio di molto

3. Allegro, ma non tanto

4. Allegro moderato

5. Air: Andante

6. Moderato

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bell and Salonen: A Fine Collaboration!, October 26, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47 / Goldmark: Violin Concerto, Op. 28 (Audio CD)

Joshua Bell continues to mature as a soloist. With every passing year his tone becomes ever more rich and luxurious and his technique now literally sparkles with virtuosity. And given the fact that this recording of the Sibelius and Goldmark Violin Concertos is five years old now makes the listener want to seek out contemporary collaborations between Bell and Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic to discover how each has grown.

This pairing of Sibelius with Goldmark is very wise: the two concertos are so widely different that they create a fine continuum of just what the violin is capable of doing. The Sibelius, played here with passion and all the aura of the high north of Scandinavia, finds Joshua Bell in committed form: the phrasing is liquid and longing, the rapid sequences are articulated with utter ease, and the soaring conclusion is among the finest recorded. Salonen and the LA Phil provide that wondrous sonic support for which they are so well known.

The Goldmark concerto is less well known to the concertgoer, so ensconced is it in folk rhythms and flavors that it longs for a line of continuity. Yet Bell tosses off this fiendish work with aplomb and makes it seem a natural for the standard repertoire.

Hearing this recording makes one want to attend a concert performance today, with the same forces, and with the associated growth in expressivity of all concerned. A fine recording. Grady Harp, October 05

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Sibelius recording, May 4, 2002

By 

Klarenka - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47 / Goldmark: Violin Concerto, Op. 28 (Audio CD)

I own seven recordings of the Sibelius violin concerto--it's my favorite violin concerto--but this one takes the cake. Joshua Bell's playing is superb, better even than some of his other recordings. His tone is beautiful, his expression flows magnificently. Nothing is underdone, he plays this concerto to the hilt. When I saw Bell in concert I was annoyed with inconsistencies in his playing, but there are none in this concerto. I have to admit, sometimes I don't listen to the Goldmark concerto on this CD, but it's still wonderful. Still, I think this CD is best bought for the Sibelius. If you're looking for a great recording of that monumental concerto, then look no further--buy this one!

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Convert, September 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47 / Goldmark: Violin Concerto, Op. 28 (Audio CD)

Although I've always loved "classical" music, I had never really enjoyed violin (whiny, screechy), preferring piano, woodwinds or brass. Hearing Josh Bell play a live performance of the Goldmark violin concerto in January 1999 instantly converted me to a violin fan, and I will never think of the violin as my fourth or fifth choice again. I've been waiting for this CD to appear since that concert and read in the program that it was in the works. Josh Bell is a lyrical virtuoso, and his interpretation of the Goldmark concerto can make you want to weep the emotion is so intense. The Sibelius is another wonderful, vibrant performance and equals the Goldmark in intensity. This recording is not only a delightful treat to the ears, but is music for the heart and the soul. Most highly rated performance and recording, and essential to any classical collection. Bravo!