Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 7

Henri Vieuxtemps (Composer), Andrew Mogrelia (Conductor), Takuo Yuasa (Conductor), Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) (Orchestra), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava
• Conductor: Andrew Mogrelia, Takuo Yuasa
• Composer: Henri Vieuxtemps
• Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00008ZZ2V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This third volume completes Misha Keylin's splendid recordings of Vieuxtemps' violin concertos; however, another one featuring his short pieces with orchestra will follow in 2005. Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was not only one of the greatest violinists of his time but also a master pedagogue who taught or influenced Ysaÿe, Hubay, and Auer. His compositions are generally regarded as mere bravura showpieces, but this is contradicted by these last three concertos, which--though they do indeed demand utmost virtuosity from the player--reveal solid structural craftsmanship, masterful orchestration, and considerable emotional depth and intensity. No. 5 is the most familiar, but all abound in lovely melodies, inventive harmonies, and almost operatic drama and lyricism. As in the previous two volumes (Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 and Concertos Nos. 2 and 3), the playing is spectacular. Keylin! has the effortless brilliance, facility and flair to make the most hair-raising technical feats seem easy; he tosses off long passages in staccato, harmonics, and double and triple stops; his runs are perfectly clear at any speed. His tone is pure, focused, and beautiful, glowing in the low register, soaring up high, and he can change mood, color, and expression instantly with bow and vibrato. In the early concertos, he gave shape to the often overabundant sequences, keeping the grandeur from becoming bombastic and the fireworks from sounding empty. Here, without external effects, sentimentality, or excess, he projects every emotional nuance with captivating charm and genuine identification, from pensive inwardness to passionate ardor. For lovers of the best violin virtuoso writing and playing, this record is a must. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great finish to a wonderful set of concertos!, December 11, 2003

By 

Sean Patterson (Westerville, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 7 (Audio CD)

One of the main things that I have enjoyed from the Naxos label is all of the concertos that have been recorded that has been next to impossible to find elsewhere. Case in point, Henri Vieuxtemps. These final three Violin Concertos round out a truly wonderful excursion into this oft neglected composer. Having the opportunity to hear all seven concertos recorded within only a few years of each other as well as having the same soloist makes a huge difference. Hearing the continuity of all seven concertos from the same interpreter (Misha Keylin) gives a wonderful overview of Vieuxtemps composition. If you love Romantic era Violin Concertos, you won't be disappointed with *any* of Henri Vieuxtemps works.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No longer mere filler, March 20, 2007

By 

GEORGE RANNIE "GWRJWMCL" (DENVER, COLORADO United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 7 (Audio CD)

Down through the years, I've heard these violin concertos (#5, 6, and 7) by Henri Vieuxtemps on recordings used as "filler" in recordings of the "biggies" (i.e., the Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, etc., concertos). In this recording of the last three violin concertos by Henri Vieuxtemps', they stand on their own as the featured works, They DO really stand alone as some very marvelous extreme romantic compositions. The concertos are filled with lush harmonies and soaring melodies. (I love the concerto #5 in A minor--its gorgeous!)

Misha Keylin, the violinist is "new" to me; however, he plays with very beautiful tones through out this recording and he certainly is "up to" the extreme demands of these works delivering the virtuosity of the works wonderfully. What impressed me very much is that no matter how demanding a part was he still managed to produce beautiful tones. To me, Misha Keylin is a most impressive violinist; I look forward to hearing him often.

The sound on this recording is great; it remains lovely through out its entirety never turning harsh. Naxos has done a great job of recording these lush works.

For some reason, I started this series at its end; however, I do intend to purchase the first two discs in this series. I was very impressed with this recording!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars #5 okay, #6 and 7 quite good, August 28, 2008

By 

teva_man "teva_man" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 7 (Audio CD)

Mischa Keylin is, I believe, the first violinist to record all of the Vieuxtemps concerti - and for that reason alone, he deserves substantial recognition. Vieuxtemps is unknown outside of the violin world, which is a shame, as he was one of the greatest composers of his time; even Berlioz said at one point that if Vieuxtemps had not been a violinist, he would have been more renowned as a composer. That said, Mischa Keylin does splendidly with Vieuxtemps last two concerti - playing them in a very romantic style with large tone, perfect technique, and usually fine phrasing. His interpretations are not overly individual, but they are very competent. Where he nearly falls down is with the Concerto #5.
He gives it a very cautious reading and does some odd things with the tempi (most of it, including the cadenza, is simply played too slowly.)
Most of us who are violinists learn the more popular 4th and/or 5th Concertos, so hearing the #6 and 7 is quite welcoming,
as they are seldom if ever performed. I recommend this disc, but only for the Concerto #6 and 7. Alexander Markov and Sarah Chang (and yes, I won't forget you, Mr. Heifetz) are the best exponents of the #5.