Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1/Scottish Fantasy

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto No.1, in G minor, Op. 26
Composed by Max Bruch
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Akiko Suwanai
Conducted by Neville Marriner

2. Scottish Fantasy, for violin & orchestra, Op. 46
Composed by Max Bruch
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Akiko Suwanai
Conducted by Neville Marriner

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1/Scottish Fantasy, Music, Max Bruch, Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Akiko Suwanai, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Violin Concerto

Bruch: The Complete Violin Concertos
Average customer rating:

Concerto No. 3 Gaining Popularity

One of the best of the Romantic Era

The Complete Violin Concertos of Max Bruch.

Fantastic

The Grossly Underrated Concerto #3 played with extreme color

Bruch: The Complete Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Bruch | Bruch, Max | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bruch: The Complete Symphonies

Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

Bruch: Piano Quintet/String Quintet/Octet

ASIN: B0000069CT
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26: 1. Vorspiel. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26: 2. Adagio
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26: 3. Finale. Allegro energico
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 44: 1. Adagio non troppo
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 44: 2. Recitativo. Allegro moderato - Allegro - Andante Sostenuto
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 44: 3. Finale. Allegro molto
Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 75: 1. Andante con moto
Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 75: 2. Allegro moderato, alla marcia
Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 75: 3. Notturno

Tracks:

Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, op.75: 4. Alegro energico e vivace
Violin Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 58: 1. Allegro energico
Violin Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 58: 2. Adagio
Violin Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 58: 3. Finale. Allegro molto
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: Einleitung. Grave
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: 1. Adagio cantabile
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: 2a. Scherzo. Allegro
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: 2b. Adagio
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: 3. Andante sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: 4. Finale. Allegro guerriero

Customer Reviews:

Concerto No. 3 Gaining Popularity.......2006-05-18

The Bruch 3rd Violin Concerto sounds like the younger sister of the Brahms Violin Concerto. However, the sister is less serious and much sexier.

One of the reasons I stopped going to symphony concerts was the constant repetition of a few concertos. The Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, etc. concerti are played so often, most regular concertgoers must have them memorized. A friend of mine thinks conductors do not want to use their very limited rehearsal time on concerti so only the most familiar are played. If that is the case, why not simply play an over familiar symphony when you play a unfamiliar concerto. Everything would balance out. The Bruch 3rd Violin Concerto is a wonderful piece, especially the highly heroic second theme of the first movement. It should be played much more often.

Fortunately, it is gaining ground. Amazon now lists 5 recordings of the piece. However, none of them are by the most famous violinists. Salvadore Accordo was a sensational violinist when he recorded all the works on this double CD but he was never as famous as Perlman. But Perlman only recorded the first concerto of Bruch, as is the case with almost every famous violinist for the last 100 years. Hopefully, that will change.

As I said Accordo was a sensational violinist with a tone that was huge and beautiful and a technique second to none. The performances here are first class in every way. This CD should be in every serious collection.

One of the best of the Romantic Era.......2005-01-26

Having discovered Max Bruch's works much later than those of Mozart, Beethowen, Bach, Haydn, Schubert or Tchaikovsky, I feel that he is one of the most underrated or underappreciated composers. While he may not be right up there with the titans, his violin concertos are a pure delight to the ear, although Mendelssohn's influence is quite obvious. Personally I prefer the first concerto, op 26, which took him 9 years to write. It was dedicated to the great hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, who apparently, along with Willy Hess, helped the author during the final revisions of the concerto. I read somewhere that Hess performed himself the premières of many of Max Bruch's works, and later Bruch would compose the concert piece for violin and orchestra op 84 especially for Hess.

Max Bruch may not be one of the most productive composers ever, but his first violin concerto and especially "Kol Nidrei" are a pure delight to the ear.

If you have a real passion for classical music and, like me recently, you are just discovering Max Bruch's music, chances are that his themes will stay in your head for quite a while. What a brilliant composer!

The Complete Violin Concertos of Max Bruch........2003-12-18

This is an excellent compilation, which includes, of course, the famous 1st Violin Concerto, admirably played by orchestra (Kurt Masur conducting) and violinist Salvatore Accardo.

This is a double-disc, and while that 1st concerto can be found on disc 1 (accompanied by the 2nd concerto and Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 75), disc 2 contains some real surprises (for me, at least): Serenade For Violin and Orchestra, Op. 75 (concl.) and the 3rd Violin Concerto.

Other reviewers spoke about the 3rd here, and after giving it ample attention I must say in my very humble opinion that it bears the signs of a possible classic; certainly the first movement is great.

That 'mystery' 3rd concerto was for me the reason to buy it, and I hope you'll enjoy it, too. As for the sound ... I think it's fine, not at all shrill to my ears; but that's just me, maybe.

Last of all, this CD contains the Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46. Quite a lot of material, while the price is about right ...

Fantastic.......2003-01-01

I'm happy buying the CD's from Accardo, only see Accardo in the CD-Case and you know, something good is inside there. Now talking about this particular CD, is amazing the Max Bruch work. Accardo playing incredible the third concert, a beautiful concert, like the other reviewers I agree, that this concert must be included in the violinist repertoire. Why always the #1 Concert of Bruch, Why always the Wieniawski #2, if those composers has other big master works. Now the technich of the violinist like the the materials of his strings, help so much to perform this works. A Bravo for Mr. Accardo in the release of this work. Accardo is a big master of the violin, and always you could associate with Paganini works, but is incredible listen him in other master works, like Bruch, Wieniawski, etc. I hope that he include in his futures CD's unknown concerts for the public in general like Fiorillo, Rode, Viotti, etc.

The Grossly Underrated Concerto #3 played with extreme color.......2002-12-12

This cd was chosen for the GROSSLY overlooked Concerto No 3, I couldn't believe this piece is not played more often!

Do you wish you could find a new and fresh concerto and are sick of listening to or playing the standard ones over and over? Well this is the CD you want for sure then! Bruch was like most composers: a hopeless romantic. There are so many pieces of unquestionable power and beauty he has written. All of the concertos by Bruch are soothing and relaxing and make for a perfect atmosphere of beauty and romance.

It is well known about Mr. Accardo's collection of great violins and his ability to change from a Strad to a Guarneri. Here he presents an unbelievable display of awesome tone from his violin, a lot better than the other recordings I have heard by him. His vibrato is lush and phrasing is wonderful here.

Many people put Accardo's abilities down, based on his performances of Paganini or Haydn concertos. While I do not fully recommend those recordings, if you have been biased by his other recordings, you will be surprised at the beauty of this CD. I submit that the recording of Concerto 3 here is completely essential and necessary.

While the Concerto 1 is played very well here, I recommend Kyung Wha Chung's live recording paired with the Beethoven. For the Scottish Fantasy, check out Rabin and Heifetz. Make sure to check out the Bruch Double Concerto too, totally awesome music with warmth and power!

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: II. Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: I. Introduction: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: II. Adagio
Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: III. Finale: Allegro energico
Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra , Op.46: I. Introduction: Grave - Adagio cantabile
Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra , Op.46: II. Allegro
Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra,Op.46: III. Andante sostenuto
Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra,Op.46: IV. Finale: Allegro guerriero

Customer Reviews:

In response to James P. Sheehan.......2007-05-06

This review is in response to gripes by the aforementioned reviewer regarding the "excessive" dynamic range on this CD.

Sound engineers do not purposely "exaggerate" dynamic range on discs - in fact, if you were familiar with modern sound engineering, you would know that a prevalent problem nowadays is the *reduction* of dynamic range (compression) in order to win the "loudness race". I do not know of a single disc out there that had its dynamic range artificially "expanded", if this is even possible.

In other words, your playback equipment is to fault - it is (sadly) typical for lower end audio equipment to not reproduce low level information well; it vanishes, making fortissimos startling and pianissimos absent. Or perhaps you are listening to this disc in a noisy environment, with low level information getting lost in the haze of environmental noise.

Regardless of the reason, I feel that your opinion on this disc's sound quality should be taken with more than a small pinch of salt given the information that I have relayed here.

This is the BEST bruch out there.......2005-04-07

i have heard over 20 different recordings of Bruch violin concerto No.1. i strongly recommend this recording to anyone. this is the best out there. no kidding. i put this in #1 spot where oistrakh's recording also belongs to. Those 2 recordings are different and both excellent. IF YOU LIKE THIS PEICE, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN THIS.

Awkward playing.......2005-03-28

You can do much better for the Mendelssohn and Bruch. You may have to get them separately, but Isaac Stern does them much better. I find Ms. Chung's playing to be uneven, choppy and full of seams. The phrasing is not smooth. Her vibrato is also very sloppy in places. Frankly, having listened to several recordings of these two pieces over many years I would have to keep these
discs out of the running entirely. I would recommend Stern or
Francescatti in the Bruch and Stern in the Mendelssohn. You get
the tops Tchaikovsky performance as well if you get Stern (with score cuts in overly repetitive measures).

Very nice, kinda overrated here.......2004-06-11

I bought this CD after reading many of the enthusiastic reviews here. And while I agree that her playing is at times beguiling and masterful, and that the sound quality is astounding, I find much of her phrasing breathless and confused (especially in the Mendelssohn). She often "swallows" the notes at the bottom end of a run, then scratches back in catching up. She overplays her hand rather gaudily at times, with no appreciable intent. It is not a "seamless" performance, like that of Heifetz, but broken up into smaller chunks of musical (and emotive) effort.

I applaud her determined effort to take risks and give fresh voice to these pieces, but I find that she doesn't seem to demonstrate that she knows where she's going often enough to gain my full confidence. I have listened a few times now to both her Bruch and her Mendelssohn performances on this CD, and have found new delights and discoveries -- but just as many disappointments and "so whats?"

I think the quality of this recording's technical production is one of its flaws: it's like a sound geek's dynamic-range tour-de-force. The violin is jammed in your face. When the orchestra is faint, it's too faint, and when it's loud, well, it fairly bursts. I think the guys at the mixing console were maybe a little too interested in what they COULD do, and less interested in what was appropriate.

I agree that the recording does in some ways capture the excitement and urgency of a live performance, but quite frankly, it's a CD. I also purchased a Heifetz recording of the Mendelssohn concerto, and man, I've listened to that bad-boy about 87 times in a row. But, that's unfair -- the two violinists are nothing at all alike.

In a nutshell: Kyung-Wha Chung will take you on an engaging, sometimes exciting tour of these showpieces. But she (with a little "help" from her sound crew) is sometimes like a chatty tour guide with a big megaphone.

Definitive Mendelssohn, phenomenal poetry in the Bruch(s).......2003-08-06

...I feel obliged to say something, as I believe this is one of the outstanding must-have cds of recent years.
Kyung Wha Chung cut these legendary recordings in the 70s (Bruch) and early 80s (Mendelssohn), with fantastic analogue sound and outstanding orchestral rapport. She plays the Mendelssohn with a pace which brings out the sheer joy and beauty of the music, free of lingering exaggerated sentimentality. If ever there was a modern masterpiece, this recording is one. The sound is sweet and virile, and in this as in so many of her recordings she plays as if she is capturing a live performance, not the stereotyped studio. There is a spontaneity so often lacking in studio recordings, which doesn't fade with repeated hearings.
The Bruch Concerto is also wonderfully fresh, a real breath of life in a much-recorded work. (Astonishingly, she plays this work even more beguilingly later with Klaus Tennstedt, coupled with the Beethoven, another must-have recording). I first heard this Kempe collaboration of the Bruch Concerto and Scottish Fantasy when it was released on vinyl, long ago played into scratched oblivion as was the way with my favourite LPs. Hearing the CD is just magical. Even the fabulous Heifetz Mendelssohn (Munch) and Bruch (Sargent) recordings don't eclipse Kyung Wha Chung's legendary performances, which are appropriately remastered on the Decca Legends label

Average customer rating:

More than a little of a One-Hit-Wonder
A favorite
The Definitive Recording
Simply divine! The best there will ever be!
A wonderful performance

Bruch: Concerto NO.1/Scottish Fantasy

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sibelius, Nielsen: Violin Concertos
Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 5; Adagio for Violin & Orchestra
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante, K.364/Concertone, K.190
Bruch: The Complete Violin Concertos
Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy

ASIN: B0000026FP
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op. 26: Vorspiel - Allegro moderato
Concerto No. 1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op. 26: Adagio
Concerto No. 1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op. 26: Finale: - Allegro Energico
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, Op. 46: Einleitung - Grave
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, Op. 46: Adagio Cantabile
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, Op. 46: Allegro
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, Op. 46: Andante Sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, Op. 46: Finale Guerriero

Customer Reviews:

More than a little of a One-Hit-Wonder.......2007-04-20

I know very little about Max Bruch. By no means a great composer, he did produce at least a few pieces that are quite passionate and soulful: The Violin Concerto and the "Kol Nidrei" for Cello and Orchestra. The Violin Concerto is quite remarkable in its abundance of Romantic expresion-it is very youthful, fresh and the melodies are very attractive. The Scottish Fantasy is another lesser known work that is very fine and catchy and captures the folk elements of Scotland. Cho-Liang Lin's violin has wonderful tone and personality.

Comparisons for the Violin Concerto: Stern/Ormandy; Hiefitz

P.S. Also see Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" for Cello and Orchestra.

A favorite.......2005-10-31

I own two different recordings of Bruch's Concerto No. 1 and Scottish Fantasy. Of the two, Cho-Lian Lin's performance is my favorite. I can only describe it by relying on visual descriptors - clarity and brightness. A performance with emotional range, despite its delicate sweetness.

The Definitive Recording.......2005-08-13

The Concerto and the Scottish Fantasy are two of the great works for violin, and this is the best recording, no contest. This album is up there with the greatest violin recordings ever.

Simply divine! The best there will ever be!.......2003-12-04

I plucked this CD from the shelf just because the Scottish Fantasy is one of my perennial favorites. I was expecting a performance on a level reached by other violinists like chung, pearlman, and midori. Until now, I have frankly never heard of Lin. I will never forget him. Lin's music is just hard to describe. How does one verbalize sounds that seemingly come from the heavens! Just listen to the crescendo that closes the first movement and you will know the artist. No mere mortal has delivered a line with such a light, silvery and glorious touch!
I'm definitely enraptured.

A wonderful performance.......2001-06-04

[....] I have this disc as well as Mutter's 1981 disc. Mutter's performance sounds quite mechanical compared to Lin's. Both disc are digital recording, but to my ears, this one is a clear winner.

Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy

Average customer rating:

Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy
Magnific, but....
Simply the Best
Worth to Buy
Wow!

Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos
Heifetz: Beethoven & Brahms Concertos (Beethoven: Concerto for violin in D; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77)
Sibelius, Prokofiev, Glazunov: Violin Concertos
Heifetz Showpieces
Itzhak Perlman - Bruch: Scottish Fantasy & Violin Concerto No 02

ASIN: B000003FIR
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1, Op. 26, In G Minor: Vorspiel: Allegro Moderato
Concerto No. 1, Op. 26, In G Minor: Adagio
Concerto No. 1, Op. 26, In G Minor: Finale: Allegro Energico
Scottish Fantasy: Introduction: Grave; Adagio antabile
Scottish Fantasy: Allegro
Scottish Fantasy: Adagio; Andante Sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy: Finale: Allegro Guerriero
Concerto No. 5, Op. 37, In A Minor: Allegro Non Troppo
Concerto No. 5, Op. 37, In A Minor: Adagio
Concerto No. 5, Op. 37, In A Minor: Allegro con fuoco

Customer Reviews:

Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy.......2007-02-19

My Dad had been looking for Bruch's Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy. He is quite the classical music connoisseur and was quite pleased with this CD.

Magnific, but...........2005-06-19

I say this, because in Bruch's violin concerto I prefer Salvatore Accardo-Kurt Masur version with the Gewandhaus Orch., like we know the absolute reference for this work, now in a bargain title in "eloquence" series, and I think that Oistrach-von Matacic, Grumiaux-Wallberg, Vengerov-Masur are also magnific versions of this work (more than Perlman, Chung or Lin' versions mentioned here). For my taste in Heifetz hands the last movt. is something fast, this is a virtuosistic version and I prefer a poetic one. But, Heifetz is Heifetz, and indeed this is an interesting version of this work. Instead, in Scottisch Fantasy Heifetz is the number one, because this is a more appropiated work for his style and also in Vieuxtemp's concerto, 5 stars for him in both works. ¡Excellent sound for a 1960's recording!. Oscar Olavarría, Santiago, Chile.

Simply the Best.......2005-02-14

These classic recordings were issued in the early 1960s in excellent sound. Unlike many earlier Heifetz records, you don't have to make allowances for the substandard, boxy sound that seems to be the norm for the majority of Heifetz recordings from the 1950's (the Brahms Concerto being a notable exception). The performances are first-rate, especially the Scottish Fantasy. This has been recorded by quite a few violinists (Perlman, Chung, etc.), but nobody else comes close to the awesome exhibition of virtuosity Heifetz provides. Perhaps you have to play the violin to grasp what you're hearing, but the Finale is hair-raising. Everyone else sounds like they're working hard in the Finale, but not Jascha. One of the great, classic violin recordings. BUY IT.

Worth to Buy.......2004-02-28

The quicksilver of Heifetz is well suited to the modest but attractive Fifth concerto of Vieuxtemps...And Sir Malcolm provides a musical and well recorded accompaniment...The balance of the soloist is rather close, but the digital remastering is succesful and the couplings are both attractive and generous...
Good job.

Wow!.......2004-01-19

I have three recordings of the Bruch VC, Perlman, Midori, Kyung Wha Chung,and all of them are pretty good, with Perlman standing out in the group of three, but when I heard Heifetz's rendition I was blown away. The 1st movement, which is played quite often, had a new flair to it that made me feel like i HADNT heard the piece 1000 times. The second movement was very heartfelt and the best I have heard, along with the technically perfect 3rd mvt. As for the Scottish Fantasy, it's the best around, and I havent really listened to teh Vieuxtemps yet, but so far an AWESOME CD, especially the VC, a must have!!!!

Average customer rating:

She's in over her head
No Sense of classics
Mae shows her cards
well lady, could you go back and practise?
She should stick to techno

The Classical Album 1 / Vanessa-Mae
Pamela Nicholson , Viktor Fedotov , Andy Hill , Peter Lockett , and Graham Broad
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vanessa-Mae The Violin Player
The Original Four Seasons And The Devil's Trill Sonata / Vanessa-Mae
Storm
Classical Album, Vol. 2: China Girl
Best of Vanessa-Mae

ASIN: B000002SLL
Release Date: 1996-11-12

Tracks:

Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: I. Preludio
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: II. Loure
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: III. Gavotte en Rondeu
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: IV. Menuet I
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: V. Menuet II
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: VI. Bourree
Partita No. 3 In E For Solo Violin BWV 1006: VII. Gigue
Scherzo In C Minor For Violin And Piano
Romance No. 2 In F For Violin And Orchestra Op. 50
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: 1st Movement - Introduction - Grave
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: Adagio Cantabile (On 'Thro' The Wood, Laddie' - 'Auld Rob Morris')
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: 2nd Movement - Allegro (On 'Hey The Dusty Miller')
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: 3rd Movement - Adagio
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: Andante Sostenuto (On 'I'm A-Doun For Lack O' Johnnie')
Scottish Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra: 4th Movement - Finale - Allegro Guerriero (On 'Scots Wha Hae')
I'm a-doun For Lack O'Johnnie (A Little Scottish Fantasy)

Amazon.com

Vanessa-Mae started her career as a violin prodigy at age 10. Now, as an adult, she successfully straddles the worlds of classical and popular music. This has made her a sensation, but judging from this disc, the publicity surrounding her has nothing to do with either music or her playing. She is clearly a very talented violinist. Her technique is solid, sometimes even brilliant, but it's so old-fashioned that one cannot tell whether she slides so much because she likes it or because she can't find better fingerings, and her vibrato only gets wider when she tries to make it more intense. Her approach to the music is idiosyncratic, but shows no personal involvement or romantic feeling. The Brahms Scherzo and Bruch's Scottish Fantasia are aggressive and accented, rather than dramatic and passionate; the Beethoven Romance is sentimental, rather than expressive.

The Third Bach Partita comes off best: though a bit stiff and stodgy, it has character and really dances. The program ends with her own pop-rock arrangement of the Fantasia's final Scottish song. The recording does not serve her well. Poor engineering makes her tone, though basically good, shrill and squeezed under stress; the piano sounds distant, but clangorous; the orchestra ragged and unbalanced. The booklet carries a skimpy biography and lots of hype, as well as a lengthy essay written by her that makes her sound arrogant, condescending, and defensive, though it is clear that she honestly aspires to be all things to all people. Also, it is printed in type so small as to be barely visible. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

She's in over her head.......2007-05-17

While these are not horrible performances, they are exceedingly shallow. Vanessa-Mae clearly has no understanding of how one is supposed to build and shape a piece of music. This is particularly apparent with the Bach Partita, where one cannot rely on spiffy orchestration to save one's [...] --- it's just the violinist and the music, and it's up to the performer alone to make the music speak to the audience.

In this performer's hands, the music simply drifts along without direction or focus. Clearly there is no musical maturity here. For those apologists who would say, "but she was only 17 when she recorded it," I would reply that she should do her musical growing up before stepping into a recording studio. Besides, I thought she was supposed to be a prodigy. This doesn't sound prodigious, only lackluster.

No Sense of classics.......2005-07-29

I was lucky to have not wasted any buck on it.Thanks for the lovely service!the sample of 1 minute aimless lousing on note leaded me to an immediate decision.

Mae shows her cards.......2004-05-05

With this album Vanessa Mae fans and classical violin connoisseurs now have the opportunity to judge her playing on its own merits as she covers standard classical violin repertoire rather than pop tunes or jazzed up versions of classical pieces. What we see is that Mae does indeed possess a considerable amount of technical ability and talent, even if her musicianship and tone are somewhat lacking. Mae excels with her Bach interpretations (Preludio and Loure were my favorites) where her ability to navigate the complexities of the cross string work and bowing challenges is displayed, but falls somewhat short in her efforts with Beethoven, Bruch, and Brahms where there is more demand for expression and musical maturity.

There is a tendency in the world of classical music to dismiss artists who dabble in the world of pop music as shallow or phony. Often you see people malign every living violinist as unworthy heirs of the legacies of Heifetz, Oistrach, and Kreisler. These critics, of course, would rip into Vanessa Mae like a dog with a freshly grilled t-bone steak. The fact is, her playing isn't as good as die hard Mae fans would have you believe, nor is it as bad as the purists claim. This album isn't an attempt to gain credibility and widespread acceptance in the classical community, in my opinion, but rather an effort to introduce her loyal fans to the works of these great classical composers whom she apparently loves and admires. One thing she has proven is that an artist can succeed playing both pop and classical in their repertoire if they give a quality presentation of each in an entertaining fashion. This album is a part of that ongoing effort on Mae's part, and deserves to be judged as such and nothing more.

well lady, could you go back and practise?.......2003-05-27

i do not mean she's bad, while any academic student could play like this. one could play down from classical to pop, and a pop star could use classical as a flavor; while now you started from below. if you go on like this, i'm just afraid that neither your pop fans nor any classical fans would stick on you. in addition, people would continuosly recall these "similarities" between you and pagnini as mentioned by advertisements, so, please, have more practices. one day, as you no longer have to struggle to play bach's partitas, hopefully you could be re-recognized as a moderate player, though i don't think that's the right way for you to go. why not go on with your commercial performances? don't get ashamed, there would be people like that, even if i'm not one of them.

She should stick to techno.......2002-11-15

Serious classical music fans will no doubt be disappointed with the quality of playing on this CD. While Mae seems to have carved out a niche market for herself with her electronically-enhanced versions of some classical pieces, she is not a wonderful classical artist: this is made obvious with her attempt to join the mainstream classical community. While she demonstrates decent technique, there are a countless number of other musicians who play Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bruch better than she does, with much better phrasing and tone quality. (Any senior student at Julliard or Curtis would sound better than she does.)

Tracks:

Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6: I. Allegro maestoso
Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6: II. Adagio espressivo
Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6: I. III. Rondo (Allegro spirituoso)
Vn Concerto No.2 in d, Op.22: I. Allegro moderato
Vn Concerto No.2 in d, Op.22: II. Romaze ( Andante non troppo)
Vn Concerto No.2 in d, Op.22:III. Allegro con fuoco- Allegro moderato (a la Zingara)
Vn Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor, Op.14: I. allegro moderato
Vn Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor, Op.14: II. Preghiera (Larghetto)
Vn Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor, Op.14: III. Rondo (Allegro giocoso)

Tracks:

Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6: I. Allegro maestoso (Kadenz/Cadenza:Flesch)
Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6:II. Adagio espressivo
Vn Concerto No.1 in D, Op.6: III. Rondo (Allegro Spirituoso)
Vn Con in D, Op. 35: I. Allegro moderato
Vn Con in D, Op. 35: II. Cazonette (Andante)
Vn Con in D, Op. 35:III. Finale (Allegro vivacissimo)

Tracks:

Vn Con in e, Op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato
VnCon in e, Op. 64: II. Andante
Vn Con in e, Op. 64: III. allegretto non troppo-allegro molto vivace
Scottish Fantasy Op.46 for vn with orch and hp:I. Adagio
Scottish Fantasy Op.46 for vn with orch and hp:II. allegro-Tanz-Animato-Adagio-Tempo I...
Scottish Fantasy Op.46 for vn with orch and hp:III. Andante sostenuto-Piu animato
Scottish Fantasy Op.46 for vn with orch and hp:IV. Finale (Allegro Guerriero) ...
Vn Con in a, Op.82: I. Moderato
Vn Con in a, Op.82: II. Andante sostenuto
Vn Con in a, Op.82: III. Allegro - Michael Rabin M

Tracks:

Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.1 E-dur/in E
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.2 h-moll/in b
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.3 e-moll/in e
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.4 c-moll/in c
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.5 a-moll/in a
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.6 g-moll/in g
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.7 A-dur/in A
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.8 Es-dur/in E flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.9 E-dur/in E
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.10 g-moll/in g
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.11 C-dur/in C
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.12 As-dur/in A Flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.13 B-dur/in B flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.14 Es-dur/in E flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.15 e-moll/in e
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.16 g-moll/in g
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.17 Es-dur/in E flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.18 C-dur/in C
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.19 Es-dur/in E flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.20 D-dur/in D
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.21 A-dur/in A
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.22 F-dur/in F
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.23 Es-dur/in E flat
Capricen Nos.1-24,Op.1 For solo vn: No.24 a-moll/in a

Tracks:

sonate No.3,BWV 1005 in C, for solo vn: I. Adagio - Michael RabinMichael Rabin
Sonate No.3,BWV 1005 in C, for solo vn: II. Fuga (Alla breve)
Sonate No.3,BWV 1005 in C, for solo vn: III. Largo
Sonate No.3,BWV 1005 in C, for solo vn: IV. Allegro assai
Sonate Op.27 No.4 in c, for solo vn: I. Allemanda
Sonate Op.27 No.4 in c, for solo vn: I. Allemanda
Sonate Op.27 No.4 in c, for solo vn: II. Sarabande
Sonate Op.27 No.3 in d, for solo vn: in one movement
Etude-Caprice, Op.18 No.4 for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
La plus que lente for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Piece en forme d'Habanere for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Tzigane: Rhapsody for vn and orch
Meditation: for vn and orch
Caprice Viennois, Op.2: for vn and orch
Into & Rondo capriccioso,Op.28 for vn and orch

Tracks:

Havanaise, Op.83 for vn and orch
Intro & Rondo capriccioso, Op.28 for vn and orch
Zapateado (No.2 aud/from Spanische Tanz Op.23) for vn and orch - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Habanera for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Ziegunerweisen, Op.20 No.1 for vn and orch
Hora staccato for vn and orch
Moto perpetuo, Op.11 for vn and orch
La Capricieuse, Op.17 for vn and orch - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Du alter Stephansturm for vn and orch
Der Hummelflu for vn and orch
Nocturne No.8 Op.27 No.2 in D flat, for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Jeunes filles au jardin for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Etude Op.8 No.10 for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Sea-Shell for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Marsch for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers
Burleska for vn and pno - Michael Rabin/Leon Pommers

Customer Reviews:

Best collection of violin playing ever made.......2007-04-12

I am a professional violinist and have long been an admirer of Michael Rabin. His technic is beyond concern. I am familiar with people involved in these recordings. Amazingly, many were single, unedited takes. If you ever buy a violin recording, these are the ones to get.

I really can't add anything to the other reviews..........2007-01-07

...this collection is an absolute necessity to anyone enjoys violin music and a near necessity to anyone who enjoys classical music...what astounds me is the quality of many of the recordings...more often than not violin recordings seem to produce a sound that leaves the impression that you're listening from the back row in a large hall...most of Rabin's recordings, on the other hand, give the impression either he's right in the room with you or else you're in the front row at the concert.

An essential item for any classical collection.......2006-04-20

Rabin is spectacular!!! Just listen to his rendition of Zigeunerwiesen, he has no equal for this piece - not even close! I have been waiting for the re-release of this set for over 5 years, asking EMI if they would ever consider it. My thanks to EMI for listening. This is a re-release they wont regret. I have a collection of classical violin by many artists, but there is something very special about these recordings by Michael Rabin. His interpretations and the gusto of his playing take your breath away.

I cannot imagine any collection of classical music without this set of CDs.

Michael Rabin was INCREDIBLE.......2006-04-14

I have to second Scott68. Rabin was one incredible violinist. I agree, the Paganini Caprices (age 15!) Wieniawski and others were never topped by anyone! This set is guaranteed to drop your jaw.

A Fitting Tribute To The 20th Century's Greatest Violinist.......2006-04-01

If you don't have these CD's get them, you won't be disappointed, especially if you love the violin as I do. If you're a Rabin fan too then this small investment is money well spent. A better set of recordings of violin classics couldn't be found anywhere. Rabin quite simply was the greatest violinist of the 20th century, rivalling, and in some ways surpassing the venerable Heifetz. He was also known for his phenomenal virtuosity and 'voluptuos' tone somewhat reminiscent of Perlman.

This boxed set includes many of the virtuoso pieces that made him famous as well as more reflective pieces like Bach. Listen to these and judge for yourselves what a truly great violinist was Rabin.

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1; Romance, Op. 42; Scottish Fantasy

Average customer rating:

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1; Romance, Op. 42; Scottish Fantasy

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Glazunov: Violin Concerto; Meditation; The Seasons
Sibelius, Khachaturian: Violin Concertos
Aaron Rosand Plays Sarasate
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D / Brahms: Violin Concerto in D / Aaron Rosand
The Violinist

ASIN: B00005RRL1
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor Op. 26: I. Allegro Moderato
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor Op. 26: II. Adagio
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor Op. 26: III. Finale - Allegro Energico
Romance In A Minor Op. 42: I. Andante Sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: I. Grave
Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: II. Adagio Cantabile
Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: III. Scherzo - Allegro
Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: IV. Andante Sostenuto
Scottish Fantasy Op. 46: Finale - Allegro Guerriero

Average customer rating:

Together
Li Chuanyun
Manufacturer: Milan Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Together

ASIN: B0000959DP
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Main Titles - Zhao Lin
Violin Concerto N.5 In A (Excerpts) (H. Vieuxtemps)
Sunshine Over Tashkorgan (C. Gang)
Viloin Concerto In e (Excerpts) (J. Conus)
Chorus 'Va Pensiero, Sull'ali Dorate' From The Opera 'Nabucco,' Act 3 (J. Cous) - Gregor Bohumi
Caprice N.1 In E Major (N. Paganini) - Li Chuanyun
Consolation N.3 (F. Liszt)
Violin Concerto I D (3rd Movement) (P.I.Tchaikovsky)
Scottisch Fantasy (Excerpts) (M. Bruch)
Violin Concerto In d (3rd Movement) (J. Sibelius)
Main Titles II - Zhao Lin

Album Description

From highly acclaimed director Chen Kaige comes the story of a young violin prodigy - an emotional and musical odyssey with huge warmth and truth. Achieving great emotional impact, the films music includes some of the best-loved masterpieces of the classical genre. Works by Tchaikovsky, Paganini, Sibelius and Verdi are performed in the film to great effect by real-life violin prodigy Li Chuanyun, with the China National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Li Xin Chao. Milan. 2003.