Search - Prokofiev, Mintz, Abbado :: Violin Concerti 1 & 2

An extraordinary Prokofiev

Helena Dolphin | Holland | 01/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shlomo Mintz shows in these two concertos that he is undoubtedly one of the greatest violinists of our time; his flawless technique and his magical and intense performances move deeply and put him "At the top of the Olympus", as a reviewer of the NRC Handelsblad (main Dutch newspaper) once wrote. Mr. Mintz won the prestigious Edison Award for this recording. I highly recommend this CD to everyone!"

Brilliant Prokofiev

Music Is Everything | Colorado Springs, CO USA | 09/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of Shlomo Mintz' early recordings, this is also one of his very best. Recorded in 1984 in early digital, with the Chicago Symphony in top form and a deeply sympathetic Claudio Abbado on the podium, this may be the finest recording of Prokofiev's violin concerti to date, though there may be better recordings of individual concerti. Mintz is playful, spontaneous yet always in control, lyrical, and often most profound in the most obscure passages. His playing is endlessly colorful, while the Chicago Symphony's accompaniment is uncannily accurate and exciting. Best of all, Mintz and Abbado display a remarkable feel for the vast differences between the first concerto (an early opus 19) and the second (a much later opus 63). One warning: The first issue of this recording had a manufacturing flaw; the material used for the top of the disc can discolor and "carbonize" over time, but so far the playing surface is fine. Later reissues of the disc do not have this problem. All things considered, this is an excellent recording and the best place to start experiencing Prokofiev's violin concerti. Enjoy."

The Best Interpretation available in today's market.

Ho J. Kim | 01/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shlomo Mintz's Prokofievs with CSO/Abaddo is the best in the market today.



Mintz's amazing bow technique and tone is the perfect match for these pieces.



Of course, CSO's amazing support.



Itzhak Perlman has some great prokofievs, but Mintz is superior."