Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms :: Heifetz: Double Concertos [Hybrid SACD]

Nice Brahms - So-so Bach and Mozart

Virginia Opera Fan | Falls Church, VA USA | 04/04/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Brahms "Double" is the best thing on this collection of Heifetz items. The chamber music partnership of Heifetz and Piatigorsky is evident in the soloists interplay and Wallenstein and the pick orchestra provide good accompaniment. The three track 1960 sound has held up well in the SACD remastering. Audiophiles should investigate the excellent Pentatone issue (Fischer/Muller-Schott/Kreizberg) coupled with Fischer's excellent reading of the Brahms Violin Concerto in state of the art sound.



The Mozart Sinfonia concertante receives a decent performance even though a little hard driven for my taste. The 1956 three track recording is nothing special - claustrophobic and with more grain and hiss than we've come to expect from this series of re-issues.



The Bach is an improvement on Heifetz' harsh and brutal monophonic version (accompanying himself through the miracle of tape recording). It still sounds rushed and perfunctory - clocking in at 14:35 compared to the recent lickety split Hahn/Batjer/Kahane version at 14:25. Heifetz also indulges in swoopy portamento in the Largo (a anachronism his partner Friedman largely avoids). Sargent is OK as an accompanist, unstylish retards aside. The two channel stereo is decent 1961 vintage.



On balance, this one is for Heifetz fans and the curious. The modest price shouldn't be a deterrant. If you own the earlier Living Stereo issue, don't feel compelled to replace it with the SACD. The improvement is marginal at best."