Search - Menuhin, Lalo, Chausson :: Menuhin Plays French Concertos

Legendary collaborations producing some supreme performances

Robert Manari | San Francisco, CA United States | 05/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Arguably, nobody ever played Chausson's Poeme with more sincerity, beauty and passion than George Enescu - fortunately, this recording of his is still available at Biddulph Recordings (England) under "G. Enesco - the complete solo Columbia recordings". Also happily for us, his experience and style of playing somehow reflect in Menuhin's own brilliant interpretation of this piece (with his beloved teacher conducting), and no doubt, as elsewhere in their joint ventures, the young Menuhin fully benefits of Enescu's priceless guidance. The result is yet another masterwork, reminiscent of other legendary recordings of these two greats, such as Bach's Violin Concertos 1 & 2, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, Paganini's Violin Concerto no. 1, Mozart's Violin Concertos 3 & 7, and Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole (also present here).



Enescu's influence upon the performance and recording history of Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole is not yet fully recognized, but it was HE who first and regularly performed (contrary to the period norm) the work with the middle movement "Intermezzo". Now the full and uncut score is the standard for any performance or recording. Here again, Enescu's gentle and reassuring presence is inspiring, encouraging Menuhin to bring out his own genius rich in grace and spontaneity. Last but not least, Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto no. 3 is also brilliantly performed, and all or any of these recordings can make a strong case as benchmark readings.

"

Beautiful.

spifferito | Port Isabel, Texas United States | 03/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Menuhin does it again with this powerful and emotional collection. The style, and the passion in his work leaps right into you as you listen almost out of control of your own emotion. With such stringwork Yehudi could just as well have been a puppeteer."