Search - Pinchas Zukerman :: Bruch, Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos; Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole

Exceptional - a Revelation!!!!

cej18 | New York, NY United States | 08/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pinchas Zukerman must be the most musical person on this planet. Extraordinarily lush and passionate performances!!!! Incomparable (& I have several other interpretations of the Bruch)."

The best Bruch

alzo | UK | 01/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have about 9 recordings of the Bruch concerto, and even though it was one of the later ones I bought it instantly became my favourite. Zukerman's playing is whole-heartedly passionate and completely committed to the music without at any time being over the top or egocentric. His playing has an intensity that is missing in recordings from the likes of Heifetz, Perlman and Menuhin - who seem more interested in their own self importance than doing justice to this magnificent concerto. If you have the Chung/Kempff recording and like it then you should get this - similar in style but even better. As for the Lola, I only have the Perlman/Barenboim recording on DG to compare this to, both are excellent and worth buying. The zukerman more exciting, the Perlman more flamboyant.I have often been suspect of the Sony sound, but in this recording the rather forward balance of the violin perfectly complements Zukerman's playing which is superbly accompanied by Mehta."

In a class of its own

agentjbond007 | Ottawa, Canada | 02/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The opening measures of the Bruch should be enough to convince you that this recording is a cut above any others - the tone that Zukerman gets from his instrument is in a class of its own.
He is the most thoughtful violin out there, his interpretations are intelligent, and devoid of senseless displays of virtuosity: he doesn't need any gimmicks.
The Bruch is wonderful, the attack of the double stops is brilliant, while the slow movement is the most poetic and poignant I've ever heard (I own 10+ different recordings of this piece).
The Lalo is firely and on the string. Perhaps not as festive as some other recordings, but just as powerful.
I must disagree with the reviewer who complained about the Vieuxtemps - violinists agree that this recording is absolutely spectacular, a more thoughtful recording that most, and just as dazzling and virtuosic."