Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Max Bruch, Charles Dutoit :: Mendelssohn, Bruch: Violin Concertos / Chung, Kempe

Definitive Mendelssohn, phenomenal poetry in the Bruch(s)

Passionate | Stoke on Trent, UK | 08/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I feel obliged to say something, as I believe this is one of the outstanding must-have cds of recent years.
Kyung Wha Chung cut these legendary recordings in the 70s (Bruch) and early 80s (Mendelssohn), with fantastic analogue sound and outstanding orchestral rapport. She plays the Mendelssohn with a pace which brings out the sheer joy and beauty of the music, free of lingering exaggerated sentimentality. If ever there was a modern masterpiece, this recording is one. The sound is sweet and virile, and in this as in so many of her recordings she plays as if she is capturing a live performance, not the stereotyped studio. There is a spontaneity so often lacking in studio recordings, which doesn't fade with repeated hearings.
The Bruch Concerto is also wonderfully fresh, a real breath of life in a much-recorded work. (Astonishingly, she plays this work even more beguilingly later with Klaus Tennstedt, coupled with the Beethoven, another must-have recording). I first heard this Kempe collaboration of the Bruch Concerto and Scottish Fantasy when it was released on vinyl, long ago played into scratched oblivion as was the way with my favourite LPs. Hearing the CD is just magical. Even the fabulous Heifetz Mendelssohn (Munch) and Bruch (Sargent) recordings don't eclipse Kyung Wha Chung's legendary performances, which are appropriately remastered on the Decca Legends label"

She wins...

John Dynan | Elwood, Vic Australia | 08/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be honest; I bought this CD for the recording of the Bruch Violin Concerto. I have never really been a great fan of the Mendelssohn work included here but I enjoyed the Scottish Fantasia, which sort of made up for it. I have been aware of this recording for 20 years but I had not heard it until I bought it. My previous standard by which I measured the Bruch was the wonderful Oistrakh version of the same work, recorded in the 1960's. The dynamics of this piece were not previously as apparent to me as now and there are passages in this recording which really make my hair stand on end. Kyung Wha Chung makes the instrument speak as I have never heard it before and that, combined with a subtlety as well as some blistering runs, started to really speak of the genius of Max Bruch. A good performer can do a piece justice but it takes a great one to give the listener an insight into the ability and intention of the composer. Kyung Wha Chung really raised the bar with this one."

Essential

David Dennis | San Mateo, CA | 01/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a find this album is, or perhaps 'find' isn't the right word, being a blend of two previously released albums...a cherry-picking, if you will. In any case, Kyung's playing is moving and energizing in its ability to invigoriate both a warhorse like the Mendelssohn concerto and a rarer piece like Bruch's Scottish Fantasia. The Penguin Guide practically raves over this album, and rightfully so...it's a landmark piece worthy of collection by everyone from novice to jaded. The 24bit/96khz remastering does wonders for the sonics and, at htis price, there is no reason not to leap, grab, and add this to your collection."