Search - Pablo de Sarasate, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Henryk Wieniawski :: Heifetz Plays Tchaikovsky & Wieniawski Violin Concertos

Heifetz with feeling!

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 04/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These are extraordinary performances coupled with unbelievable sound quality. They were all recorded in the mid 1930's and while the recording has limitations, the performances more than make up for this. The Tchaikovsky in particular is played with far more sentiment and color than Heifetz later stereo recordings. None of the robotic Heifetz here, but rather a virtuoso at his peak technically and artistically. The less familiar Wieniawski is likewise wonderful and the Sarasate shows off Heifetz and his tremendous technique. I have one important recommendation to make in regard to this cd, however: You can buy these identical Tchaikovsky and Wieniawski recordings along with his famous Sibelius recording of the same vintage on the Naxos Historical label for a few dollars less and the sound quality is the same. The only advantage to this one is the Sarasate, but many will prefer the Sibelius."