Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Concerto / Giulini, Perlman, Chicago SO [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Johannes Brahms (Composer, Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra, Performer), Itzhak Perlman (Performer, Orchestra), Carlo Maria Giulini (Artist), Itzhak Perlman (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Itzhak Perlman
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Itzhak Perlman
• Conductor: Johannes Brahms
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (May 4, 1999)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000IOBO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,399 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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• This item is part of The Great Recordings of the Century Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A personal favourite., June 30, 2003

By	Steve Lane - See all my reviews

There is no doubt that this is a slower version of the Brahms violin concerto than many - the first movement stretches to some 24 minutes. But what Perlman has given to this recording is such expression and emotion that I for one cannot help but love this recording. Certainly, despite having listened to many pieces of music through the years, I still have not met another that is so beautiful as this interpretation of the second movement.

Of course, the Heifetz recording is without question fantastic, and ideally don't miss that either, but I still know many who feel this is the definitive version.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, June 20, 2007

By	Roger W. Wood "Music Lover" (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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There are a number of great recordings of this concerto. Among them are ones I have personally listened to over a long period of time, such as EMI's Milstein/Fistoulari/PO, the great Klemperer/National French Radio Orchestra/Oistrakh -- and, friends, that is a very good one indeed! -- on EMI, and, cutting the list short, this one, the Giulini/PO/Perlman performance. Just recently I heard a glorious local performance of this concerto in my hometown with Midori and the Jacksonville Symphony. But these cds are my favorites culled from many over the years. The tossup is between the Klemperer and the Giulini, but the one I listen to most is the sheer beauty and lyricism of the Giulini/Perlman performance. It is very romantic, has the big sound, and nobody exceeds the Chicago Symphony, Carlo Maria Giulini, and Perlman in presenting this concerto.

And let me say a word about this concerto. It is in essence romantic music. Just say "beautiful." Like the Dvorak Cello concerto, how does one do it without it sounding like it is? Romantic! Big! Sonorous! Lush! And why do it if it cannot be performed in the mood and spirit with which the music was intended? Well, nobody projects this kind of music better than this performance by Giulini, the CSO, and Perlman. I feel sorry for all the people reviewing this ahead of me who do not like this performance. I have been listening to Brahms over 50 years, and no one does this better than Carlo Maria Giulini, the CSO, and Perlmann. It shows music is more than just playing the notes or running the tempos. Music is for people. And this performance is sensational. It lets the romanticism engrained be released and rule every part of the concert. Go listen to it again, and hear it for a change. Fall in love with music again. Get this disc and be glad you did. It will become your favorite.

Yes, there are other great performances. I have mentioned just two others. But one will not find a better performance than this for the intention and type of music that is composed. Get it. Be glad you can. It is a smashing rendition of this music.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I am astounded that some think that this is a poor cd..., April 14, 2003

By	Dennis J. Marconi "dinojmarco" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perlman and Giulini are two icons that have combined for some splendid music, and this is clearly an excellent album.

Yes, the tempo is slow but it is also so warm and lyrical like most of Giulini's work. My only complaint is that the sound of the recording is not quite balanced, but this is a minor flaw as the musicianship of both dominate this OUTSTANDING recording.