Search - Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky :: Tchaikovsky, Wienawski, Brahms, Schumann: Violin Concertos

Beautifully played concertos for a fantastic price

cwb | Carmel, IN | 05/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Decca has been re-releasing some of Joshua Bell's previously out-of-print recordings at a lower cost (allegedly to celebrate his 20-year recording anniversary). The works on this particular 2-disc set include the violin concertos of Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, Schumann, and Brahms. Bell is accompanied by the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by either Vladimir Ashkenazy (the Tchaikovsky and the Wieniawski) or Christoph von Dohnányi (the Brahms and the Schumann). The digital recordings boast the crystal clear sound that Decca's engineers are known for.



Though Bell was only 20 years old when some of these works were recorded, his playing is fresh and exciting, and his technique is nearly flawless. Bell plays these well-known Romantic melodies with a warm, beautiful sound and with natural (yet spontaneous) phrasing. Bell's intonation is quite good throughout (there are just a few sharp high notes), and the cadenzas and highly technical passages are pulled off with stunning virtuosity and grace. There is not a single moment where Bell sounds unsure of himself.



The Cleveland Orchestra (under both batons) is fantastic. The orchestra is perfectly balanced with the solo violin, as well as with itself. The accompanying woodwind passages are clear and beautiful, the strings are warm and unobtrusive, and the brass sound is powerful, yet well contained.



One could argue that some of these concertos (especially the Tchaikovsky) are better performed by the youth. You will have the opportunity to decide for yourself when Sony releases Bell's new live recording of the Tchaikovsky with the Berlin Philharmonic next month. If the Tchaikovsky is your main motivation, you might want to wait until the new recording is released before deciding which you prefer. On the flip side, since you get four concertos with this set, you might consider buying this as well as Bell's upcoming release. In any case, I do not hesitate strongly recommending this recording. I would feel comfortable if this was my only recording of these concertos, and the price for two discs secures my 5-star review.



EDIT (September 23, 2005): Joshua Bell's new account of the Tchaikovsky concerto was released this month. Since this is not a review for that album, I will not go into detail about it here. But I will say that it is absolutely fantastic. Because you get much more bang for your buck, I still highly recommend this 2-disc set. However, if you are only after the Tchaikovsky and don't care about the other concertos in this set (gasp!), I suggest getting the new recording. (An easy solution, though, is to get them both!)"

Observing Growth, Thanks to Re-Issued Recordings

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joshua Bell is a very fine violinist and musician and continues to grow into his innate talent. Though this re-issue is of recordings of warhorses made in his early years, the individual works are quite strong and satisfying on many levels. But the true joy of owning this CD is using it as a reference point of Joshua Bell's growth as a performer and interpreter.



The CD includes the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, the dazzling Wieniawski Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22, Schumann's Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23 and the Brahms Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 - recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Ashkenazy and von Dohnányi. It is this last concerto this listener wishes to address.



Joshua Bell is currently 'in residence' with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and his most recent spectacular performance was the Brahms' concerto with Jonathan Nott guest conducting. Bell is so much more in control of this fiendish work now than he was with the original recording. His tone is bigger, his phrasing is even more eloquent and he now is so familiar with this great work that he uses his own cadenza in the long first movement, a welcome break with current tradition. His playing is opulent, precise, and radiant and his involvement with the orchestra and conductor is at one with the moment. Now, returning to this CD, it is refreshingly apparent how artists grow and find maturity and depth in performing works that are standards of the repertoire. This recording is a fine one standing on its own merits, but it is an indispensable one for following the careers of the truly fine performers on the stages today. Highly recommended for those reasons. Grady Harp, November 06"

Must for Schumann Lovers

noeton | Pennsylvania | 02/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I honestly have not listened to any of the other concertos besides the Schumann, yet. Bell's performance of the latter is just remarkable. It is difficult to find a decent performance of this work, because it is thought to be deficiently composed. It is certainly not the violin equivalent of the piano concerto. But it is a fascinating and thoughtful work, which obviously takes great skill and patience to pull off without moments of dragging. One is tempted to call it a deliberate 'anti-concerto.' If so, then what does it fail at? Schumann was a little nutty, you know, and perhaps this work gives us insights into his struggles. Yet, above all, there are many moments of sublime beauty, some which are really quite extraordinary, that Bell tastefully articulates. Recording quality, etc., all good."