Customer Reviews

Violin Concerto / Symphony No 8

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great performance of the Beethoven, by the two grand old masters.
The problem with Nathan Milstein was that he played way too well, seemingly without effort - and consistently. He was still sounding every bit as good at age 83 as he was in this video (at age 69). Boult, well into his 80s at the time this was made, gives perfect direction of the Beethoven - although the orchestra pretty much remains in shadow whenever Milstein is on the platform. Never one for conventionality, Milstein plays his own cadenzas - these are musically unusual, but a refreshing change from the ones by Joachim and others which are heard in nearly all performances and recordings. The Vaughan-Williams Symphony #8 is fine - Boult recorded all of them in the 60s (I think with the LSO?) and he knew them extremely well. Why it was included with the Beethoven Concerto, I'm not quite sure. Maybe they should have just released the entire concert from start to finish? EMI's other Milstein disc isn't spectacular, but it would have been a better choice to put the Beethoven there. Nonetheless, this disc comes highly recommended.

Most purchasers will want this for the Vaugan Williams. They will not be disappointed as both sound and performance are faultless. A substantial bonus is the Beethoven Concerto. In the hands of Milstein, it is to be savored.

The Beethoven Concerto was recorded in London and is in b. and w.. Sound is reasonable and the performance is excellent. It is particularly good to see such undemonstrative interpreters, Milstein and Boult, simply letting the music speak (and what music!). There is no showiness or cult of personality here, no self-indulgence, just a completely secure, utterly musical presentation of this most wonderful of concerti. The Vaughan Willaims Symphony gives us a chance to see V.W.'s most famous interpreter at work, and I find Boult's understated but absolutely alert gestures totally fascinating. Everything he does serves the music and guides the orchestra. As a result this rather patchy (but very individual and enjoyable) Symphony sounds totally convincing. All in all, it's an unusally interesting and rewarding DVD.

This documentary, in black and white, shows the artist playing violin solo, with accompaniment, or in concerts, but the scenes are relatively static, the quality of sound could be better, and the picture in not much richer than a slightly animated slide show, unless the objective is to see the artist's technique. There is no much advantage of watching this documentary over listening just the music from CD.

Gives a decent recital of Ralph Vaughan William`s Symphony #8. If this is not one of his major works, it is perhaps the most "generic" of his
symphonies. A newcomer to his music will be given a solid introduction to the many sides of this great 20th century composer.