Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Eugene Ormandy :: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64 / Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35

The only recording I needed

06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of these two classic violin concertos was the first I heard of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky's masterful works. Since that time, I have heard countless other violinists toy with these virtuosic labyrinths, but the first masters the duo by far.

Isaac Stern does exactly what is required of the soloist in both concertos. The Mendelssohn he plays with a sort of cheerful melancholy, if that is indeed possible. The Concerto in D is given the serving of joy that it deserves without it being sickeningly sweet; it is given a fair amount of sadness as well. Paradoxical and ingenious, the compositions make one think a lot, and the talented Stern answers our questions and inspires new ones with each listen. Not only does the violinist hold us at the edge of our seats or lull us to sleep with his feeling, his technique is flawless. He does not attack each note; he weaves them together to form a brilliant recording.

Other fiddlers play it with too much feeling, or too much passiveness, and, of course, there is the plethora of those who aren't technically capable of the insane cadenzas. Stern has the right amount of everything.

The sound quality is not excellent; luckily, there are now some editions with more effectively remastered versions. But even if this is the only disc available, Stern is the one to hear. Also, his Brahms Violin Concerto and Double Concerto recordings in the same series are quite excellent.

Hopefully, all of you will sit back, relax, and be taken to another world."

Heavenly

zhangbroadwin | San Diego, CA United States | 06/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD. I've owned it for 10 years and listened to it countless times. I continue to be amazed each time."

Needs Serious Remastering!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 06/05/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"No doubting the quality of the compositions, the performances of said compositions but the sound quality is really very poor. Let's hope Sony gets its act together and remaster the entire "Great Performances" catalog using the best possible master source in the vaults and re-release them all in mini-lp replica sleeve packaging. I can dream, can't I?"