Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major,Op.35 / Serenade Melancolique,Op.26 ~ Ormandy / Perlman

5 star:		(3)
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I haven't quite figured out why this recording hasn't been given more review in classical cd guides and the like. I own about 6 recordings of this work, and since Perlman is my favorite violinist I had to buy it. It is rivaled only by Vengerov/Berlin Philharmonic/Abbado. The sound is outstanding from both soloist and orchestra, and Perlman does some wonderful stuff in the cadenzas, particularly the first movement. Wow! It is remarkable how effortless Perlman makes this sound, when in fact it is the most demanding concerto of them all. Vengerov is more technically overwhelming, but Perlman is more lyrical and musical I think. The Philadelphia players are on form and the codas are thrilling. Buy it.

For me, Tchaikovsky's concerto represents one of the most demanding 'tour the force' for the instrument in the genre. This is not only a virtuoso piece, it requires full cantabile treatment of the melodies.

The violin of Perlman literally 'sings' throughout the piece, without slowering tempo, and fulfilling the virtuosistic demands. Most of the violinists opens beatifully the first movement -the first theme-, but in those passages with double strings or 'moto perpetuo' like, the melody becomes rough and confuse.

In the case of the 'Serenade Melancolique', Perlman conveys the poignant mood of the piece, again with a great cantabile phrasing.

The Philadelphia Orchestra, at the end of Eugene Ormandy era, made an excellent performance. There's another extraordinary recording of the concerto conducted by Ormandy, with David Oistrakh, which I highly recommend.

I also recommend a laser-disc register (I don't know if has been edited in DVD) of the concerto with Perlman/Ormandy tandem, and another registered during Tchaikovský's 150 birthday gala, in which Perlman plays the Serenade.

Perlman's violin playing if fantastic. What beauty and emotion in the Melancolique by Tchaikovsky. Sould be a definite addition to any classical lover.

Eugene Ormandy sold so many million recordings that any record company was happy to sign him, even in decline. After decades with Columbia, Ormandy moved to RCA and fianlly to EMI, which got the worst of the deal. As shown by the slack conducting on this Tchaikovsky violin concerto, there wasn't much energy left toward the end.

Which is a shame, because the young Perlman is dazzling. He can't unleash much power under the circumstances, and the line of the music lacks thrust. Even so, for purity of tone and songful sweetness, the only recording I've heard to match this one comes from Joshua Bell on his recent CD for Sony. Many people believe that Perlman was at his best during the Seventies. I don't know enough of his recordings over the years to give an opinion, but he's certainly impressive here. If only he didn't have to swim through molasses.