Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonin Dvorak, Jules Massenet :: The Instruments Of Classical Music: The Violin

The Instruments of Classical Music - Vol. 5 - The Violin

Julie L. Kummer | Florida | 06/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has to be the best buy on Amazaon's classical music list. The Meditation from Thais is arguably one of the most beautiful pieces of music written and Romance No. 2 in F, Op. 50 is equally calming and soothing. The third piece Zapateado comes along to make sure you haven't fallen asleep, and is a light, playful piece, also guarenteed to please. If you have had a long, stressful day, this should be your CD of choice."

Fine performances, clear sound, beautiful music

James Rockhill | Michigan, USA | 03/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This came as a pleasant surprise - all of the music is well-played in clear, natural sound. For me, it was well worth the price for the gorgeous Dvorak "Romance" and the rare, beautiful orchestral version of Wieniawski's "Legende" alone. The tempi, the orchestral playing, the balance between violin and orchestra, and the recorded sound are much superior in the Wieniawski than in most other recordings of this work currently available: just listen to the dialogue between the winds in their lower register, the soaring French horn, and the entry of the violin during the first few measures.



I cannot recall a recording of the orchestral version of the Wieniawski with David Oistrakh, though his recordings of the original version with piano accompaniment are excellent. There was, however, a fine recording with Nathan Milstein along with other encores (including a crackling performance of Novacek's "Perpetuum Mobile" in Stokowski's imaginative and effective orchestration), but that has not yet made it to compact disc. This will do nicely in the meantime."