Search - J.S. Bach, Menuhin :: Violin Concertos 1-3 / Orchestral Suites

The performance is as cheap as the CD

Omar El Matri | Berkeley, CA United States | 12/28/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I'd been atracted by the Menuhin name on this CD, but it appears that even Menuhin has bad recordings. The violin concertos by J.S.Bach are among the most delightfull pieces for violin and orchestra but this recording is just a shame. Just as an example, at the second movement of the first concerto the sound of the orchestra and spesially the celli is so heavy and messy that it gives a headache. And then beyond the performance that is far from being exceptional, the quality of the recording is too bad, I know that it's a live performance of 1960-1962, but still ...Just one advice, don't buy this CD!"

Don't be fooled

Mark Henstock | Madison, AL United States | 06/05/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Just to add to the wealth of knowledge already poured into the past reviews (i.e. 'gooey' sounds), I would note that these performances are nothing more than a hasty interpretation pinned with a great name. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this CD is just a big conspiracy to raise money for the Seraphim company. If you want to listen to the master at his best, get his recording of the Beethoven and Mendelssohn violin concertos with Furtwangler and the BPO. If you want to hear the best recording available of the Bach concertos, listen to the Salvatore Accardo version with The Chamber Orchestra of Europe. But I digress...the sound quality on this CD is poor, with a muffled sound quality, the players have no sense of balance, and the tempo is too slow on every concerto. The same is true for the orchestral suites, so please, before you buy, realize you're getting what you pay for."

Worth having

ine8181 | Auckland, akl New Zealand | 03/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, this rendition of the J.S.Bach's violin concertos is certainly ... different.. from others that I've heard. Not as surgical and precise, but Menuhin plays the pieces with his own style -and his own only. While (of course) the preference of style is a matter for individual listeners, I think his playing is, technically, very flawless.Also what I like about this rendition is that Menuhin gives the concertos more emotion and feeling than any other that I've heard. More mechanically precise may be, but not as involving.All in all, I love this rendition, and I don't understand the sound quality complaints - I'm surprised that it sounds so good for a 1960 recording!"