Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

On this CD:

1. Concerto for 2 pianos & orchestra in A flat major
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Anthony Paratore, Joseph Paratore, Berlin RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester
Conducted by Uros Lajovic

2. Concerto for 2 pianos & orchestra in E major
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Anthony Paratore, Joseph Paratore, Berlin RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester
Conducted by Uros Lajovic

Tracks:

Concerto No.1 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 25: I - Molto allegro con fuoco
Concerto No.1 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 25: II - Andante
Concerto No.1 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 25: III - Presto; Molto allegro e vivace
Concerto No.2 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 40: I - Allegro appassionato
Concerto No.2 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 40: II - Adagio
Concerto No.2 for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 40: III - Finale: Presto scherzando
Prelude & fugue, Op. 35, No. 1
Variations Serieuses, Op. 54
Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite composers.......2007-02-07

TRULY AN HOUR OR SO OF REAL ENJOYMENT

A Legendary Recording.......2005-11-05

There are so many things that could be said about this recording. It deserves a spot on any top 50 classical recordings list. The piece and the performance are both 5 stars. Mendelssohn is an undeservingly neglected composer. He is ususally thought of as an orchestral composer, since his command of the orchestra is parallel to Mozart's. But in his own time, he was as great a pianist as anyone else. Even many pianists these days neglect or don't know much about his piano works. This is partly because his piano works are less "catchy" than what the romantic piano is often known for, (the piano concerto no. 1 is an exception). They are longer, more traditional, and require more patience, as compared to Chopin's short pieces, Schubert's Impromtus, etc. But they are just as good.

The piano concerto no. 1 in my opinion ties Tchaikovsky's piano concerto no. 1 as the greatest romantic piano concerto. If you've never heard it, it's absolutely mesmorizing. You won't get it out of your head for a week. And it's not performed very often. It captures your attention right away with a sense that something huge is imminent. Then it waists no time in quickly developing into a great, strong, but fairly simple theme. Then it hammers the theme with double octaves, and mixes it in with arpeggios. The whole effect creates a very classic, "nothing else like it" effect, much like Beethoven's 5th. As a piano concerto, Mendelssohn being a master of the orchestra avoids one of the potential pitfalls of focusing on the piano so much that the quality of the orchestral writing is comprimised. Like Mozart's late piano concertos, he manages to pull off a great balance with the orchestra, not a domination. The strings shadow the piano perfectly, with the brass supplying foundation, and the woodwinds adding color and having neat little solos. Few composers can pull off such a feat so perfectly. The piano concerto no. 2 is also very good, with a strong theme that develops after 45 seconds during the first movement, but it is not quite like the first. The three piano pieces at the end are very good, but they are overshadowed by the orchestral greatness of the concertos. As stated before, they require some patience.

Murray Perahia is as good as any other pianist at performing Mendelssohn, and Sir Neville Marriner conducts very well. Perahia always performs very lively and never lets down. The whole thing comes out beautifully. As great as these pieces are, I've heard other recordings of them, and they didn't sound nearly as good. They sounded flat and lacked energy. This is the definitive recording for these truly great concertos.

One last comment, this is one of those rare special pieces of music that captivates people of all musical styles, not just classical listeners. People start to become facinated with it right away, similar to Beethoven's 5th. Very few pieces have that power. Bach's harpsichord concertos and organ music, Haydn's Great masses, Mozart's late piano concertos, Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Chopin's fantasie-impromtu and 2nd piano sonata, and Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto and 1812 overture all are examples. I have a friend who's a school music teacher, who showed this recording to kids who mainly listen to pop, rock, and rap, and many of them liked it. I've also seen many adults who listen to jazz, 80's, or nothing-in-particular like it as well. If you're looking to give a non-classical listener a taste of what they're missing, this Cd would make an excellent choice.

Marvelous Mendelssohn.......2005-07-27

A marvelous recording of this dynamic and masterful Mendelssohn piano concerto. The music is vibrant and lush, and captures the lyricism as well as the powerful energy of this inventive Mendelssohn composition.

pure.......2005-05-12

Perahia is truly a great pianist (if not one of the greatest) and Marriner keeps his throne as the king he is. Mendelssohn wrote several keyboard and chamber music, and this is the definitive way to let this selection of music speak and sing!

Must have for any classical collection.......2001-07-23

This CD is pretty close to perfect. The concertos are beautiful, and there's really nothing like them. The orchestra never drowns out the piano (due to the fabulous conducting of Marriner), and Perahia can really bring out the beauty of any song and any piano.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Canzonetta (Andante)
III. Allegro Vivacissimo
Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Molto Appasionato
II. Andante
Leadout

Customer Reviews:

Superb versions of the violin concerti!.......2005-03-14

I was familiar with both Violin Concerti before my purchase, but since I am just starting to work on my own collection, did not own any version of either of them. I chose this CD at the store because of the relatively prestigious reputations of all performers and conductors, even though there were cheaper options. I have not been dissapointed! These versions of the Violin Concerti are without a doubt my favorite to date and this has become one of my most played CDs. I would highly reccommend this CD.

Must Have CD.......2005-02-16

This is the one CD that every lover of classical music must have. No greater performance in the genre of violin concertos has ever been recorded. Perlman is at the height of his craft.
Absolutely fabulous!!!

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Violin Concerto

Average customer rating:

Mendelssohn's Concerti performed with excellence
Mendelssohn is put on a Serkin-support system
Very good performances
Conciertos al mejor nivel
A must in your collection

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Violin Concerto

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

Brahms: Violin Concerto; Double Concerto for violin and cello
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66
Beethoven, Sibelius: Violin Concertos
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos
Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata

ASIN: B00005YOY8
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: I. Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: II. Andante
Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: III. Presto. Molto Allegro E Vivace
Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: I. Allegro Appassionato
Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: II. Adagio. Molto Sostenuto
Concerto For Piano & Orchestra No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: III. Finale. Presto Scherzando
Concerto For Violin & Orchestra In E Minor, Op. 64: I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
Concerto For Violin & Orchestra In E Minor, Op. 64: II. Andante. Allegretto Non Troppo
Concerto For Violin & Orchestra In E Minor, Op. 64: III. Allegro Molto Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Mendelssohn's Concerti performed with excellence.......2006-02-27

This recording by Serkin and Stern is a terrific performance to add to your collection if you like Mendelssohn. I highly recommend these performances especially at such a budget conscious price!

Mendelssohn is put on a Serkin-support system.......2006-01-12

The flashy runs in both Mendelssohn piano concertos, particularly the first, haven't redeemed the banality of their musical content, which actually rivals the Liszt concertos--they are diabolically humdrum while Mendelssohn is academically humdrum. Serkin didn't care about their low status. He pitches into both works as if they are incendiary masterpieces, and for as long as he is playing you're held in his spell. The sonics on these 1959 recordings are a bit thin in the orchestral background--the piano is caught very well--so getting the most up-to-date pressing seems like a good idea.

1959 was also the year when Isaac Stern recorded this Mendelssohn Violin Concerrto, and the sound is still respectable, with the violin escaping the nasty edginess found on old budget CDs. Ormandy is quite vigorous here, as in the piano concertos--he was at his best as an accompanist. Where Menuhin takes every opportunity to make a musical point and Heifetz every opportuity to dazzle, Stern is midway between. He isn't introspective, but he plays seriusly. Passagework and intonation are impeccably clean, and although not the most individual reading in the catalog, Stern's is excellent, particularly in a budget release.

Very good performances.......2005-03-17

It is very nice to have both Mendelssohn piano concertos and the famous violin concerto all on one CD. A very good bargain, and very good performances. Sound quality is actually pretty good too, even though these recordings are somewhat old.

Conciertos al mejor nivel.......2004-09-15

Mendelssohn escribio estos tres conciertos de gran factura y ciertamente tener los tres en un CD ya es algo bastante interesante, ahora si a eso añadimos la calidad de la interpretación estamos frente a un CD de colección.
Rudolf Serkin es un gran pianista y aqui lo demuestra doblemente, el concierto Nº 1 es exquicito, innovador, bello y Serkin lo lleva con fuerza y pulcritud, el comienzo es apasionado, diria frenetico, Serkin me sorprende nuevamente y lleva al piano al maximo, Arrau seria mas majestuoso y quizas le daria un toque de delicadeza, Serkin al contrario y Ormandy lo acompaña, hacen de este comienzo un apasionado y abrumador, muy bueno. Asi el segundo movimiento es mas sutil pero ese toque que Mendelssohn le da a todos sus conciertos, finalizamos con otro momento agitato por decirlo de alguna manera y el solista denuevo nos deslumbra. El Nº 2, aunque inicia como si fuera mas suave es solo eso, un comienzo sutil unos acordes suaves orquesta y luego piano, y de pronto frenesi, impetu, voragine, verdaderamente genial, tengo que decirlo Serkin es un pianista de excepcion y Ormandy como Uds, lo saben acompaña como el solo sabe hacerlo, en forma perfecta. El concierto es recio, contundente, no estoy seguro cual de los dos es mejor, pero definitivamente siempre opacados por el concierto para violin. Aqui otro solista de la mayor calidad Stern lleva el vigor y la alegria de este concierto hasta hacerlo inolvidable, es hermoso, los sonidos de la orquesta, la sutileza y la no tanto del violin envuelven al oyente en una magica red de portentoza gracia y esplendor.
Eugene Ormandy hace lo suyo de manera impecable, lo he comentado antes, es un director de rigor, que acompaña y que sobresale, es espectacular. En este caso acompaña a Serkin y lo hace con fuerza y vigor, y bueno su conocidisima pomposidad.
La Orquesta de Columbia que aparece en forma especial, fue creada para Bruno Walter y es por cierto de una calidad inmejorable. Para la Orquesta de Filadelfia no creo que tenga ya mas halagos que decir que es perfecta.

A must in your collection.......2004-06-20

The piano concerts are ornamental works , and never reach the peak of the champions . They are deeply lyrical and inmersed in the mood of that age signed by the virtuosistic mood. Think in those forty years , Thalberg , Herz, Czerny , Henselt , Moscheles , Bronsart and Liszt to name the most remarkable. In that generation it was more important the show itself that the music could mean. The romanticism in its peak , with all his effects over the great audiences . Transcriptions for piano , fireworks , eight hours concerts , where the music felt in a show business.
Only Schumann , Chopin , Brahms among others could keep the level in their works. And we had to expect for the second half of the century for that show fever eventually dissapeared.
The violin concerto in this case was the best work in the genre of the concerts. In my opinion , F.M. will be reminded by his string quartets , his last three symphonies and this violin concert.
Stern gives to that work , eloquence , majesty and dignity . And the only version I remember to that level is Szigetti Beecham . Deep musicality and above all elegance , and nuance.
Undoubtly this work itself deserves you to acquire.The Philadelphia strings as always superb and powerful. Ormandy was deeply inspired in that ocassion.

Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos

Average customer rating:

Cheer and Pleasure
Amazon's Classical music CD's
Virtuoso of virtuosos...
Greatest Tchaikovsky Ever!
Greatest of All Time

Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos

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:

Heifetz: Beethoven & Brahms Concertos (Beethoven: Concerto for violin in D; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77)
Heifetz Showpieces
Jascha Heifetz: The Supreme
Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy
Fritz Kreisler Plays Kreisler

ASIN: B000003FIP
Release Date: 1995-05-09

Tracks:

Concerto, Op.35, In D Major: Allegro Moderato
Concerto, Op.35, In D Major: Canzonetta: Adante
Concerto, Op.35, In D Major: Allegro vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In E Minor: Allegro molto appassionato
Violin Concerto In E Minor: Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor: Allegretto non troppo: Allegro molto vivace
Serenade Melancolique, Op. 26
Serenade In C Major, Op. 48: Waltz

Amazon.com

The Tchaikovsky offers dazzling technical challenges and heart-on-sleeve emotional ups and downs. The Mendelssohn is Olympian, cool, beautifully formed--music that is immediately recognizable as the work of the composer who produced the magical Midsummer Night's Dream music. Jascha Heifetz is equally at home with Tchaikovsky's fervor and Mendelssohn's calm. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

Cheer and Pleasure.......2007-06-08

Somehow Heifitz makes it all sound easy, relaxed, and well worth repeating. It is fun, sweet, exciting, sad, and loving. If you really love violin music, this is the best.

Amazon's Classical music CD's.......2007-01-18

This CD was purchased as a Christmas gift from a friend, who was very specific about the recording he wanted. I held my breath, fearing it might not arrive in time ... but it did, beautifully. Thank you, Amazon!

Virtuoso of virtuosos..........2005-07-13

This disk features arguably the two greatest concertos ever written for the violin performed by the hands-down greatest violinist of the twentieth century and recorded in the absolute peak of his career. It really doesn't get much better than this for music lovers. If we all lived in a fair world, which we don't, performances on disks would be priced according to the amount of beauty and power it contains, not how recent it was released or supply-demand. Having said that, when it comes to these two recordings, 16 bucks doesn't seem like that great of a reach anymore.

I've listened to many recordings of both concertos, but out of Perlman, Milstein (second best), Stern, Oistrakh, Menuhin, and ect., Heifetz stands out on top in both. People will always say that the first movement of the Tchaikovsky is played too quickly, but I believe this is only so because no other violinist is ABLE to duplicate this kind of speed, hence Heifetz's recording being separated from the rest. I could certainly understand why a slower tempo is desired if the performer was tripping over the difficult passages and turning the movement into a mudslide, but that is certainly not the case with Maestro Heifetz; in fact, the opposite is true.

I believe Heifetz was a man who above all respected the composers. He also understood the art of "withholding". What do I mean? Here is a perfect example. In the first movement of the Mendelssohn, Heifetz has been infamously accused of playing the main theme using harmonics and flying through the movement with zero sentimentality. This demonstrates ignorance and a strong lack of respect on the modern generation. With the rise of 20th Century music (most of which Heifetz detested), appreciation for professionalism declined and indulgence in emotionalism became commonplace. Heifetz understood that there is no payoff, no climax to any piece of music, unless there is patience and sensitivity. After a slightly withheld first movement and a sweet second movement, Heifetz bursts open the doors in the third playing with more liveliness and accuracy than any other violinist can. The concerto climaxes towards the end when Heifetz passionately pounds through the main theme one last time then finishes with a flourish. This epiphany would not have been possible had he sentimentalized the whole concerto, as many violinists do nowadays.

As with most listeners, I often conjure up my own opinions on how certain concertos should be played based on my first hearing. After that first hearing, all others are labeled as inaccurate interpretations. I've found out through years of listening that there are only two musicians for which this does not apply: Heifetz and Rubinstein. Even if my first impression has already been set, it is they who play the concertos the way they were meant to be played. My advice on the Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn is if you have nevered listen to these, listen to Heifetz first, after doing so, all other versions will pale in comparison. If you have already formed first impressions on how to interpret these concertos, give Heifetz a chance. I've found that just about every other violinist (save Milstein) seem to play with AWFUL intonation after listening to Heifetz.

Greatest Tchaikovsky Ever!.......2005-06-08

In my opinion, this is the greatest rendition of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto that I've ever heard. Heifetz plays the first movement very fast, but every note is audible and clean. There are literally moments where my jaw drops each time I listen to this recording. It would be hard to imagine a more technically and musically superb version of this wonderful concerto, although there are many other good versions (Milstein's in particular is great as well).

The Mendelssohn is great, and like all of Heifetz's work, it's pretty much perfect. While it is great, I wouldn't name this as my favorite version. Hilary Hahn's Mendelssohn is equally good and the sound quality is considerably better (because Heifetz's was recorded a long time ago), so Hahn's is my preferred Mendelssohn.

This disc is a must have. Because of the sound quality of the disc, I would not place this Mendelssohn as my top choice because they are other versions that are technically similar with better sound quality. The sound quality on this CD isn't bad (it's actually pretty good), but it's not as good as modern recordings. The Tchaikovsky is so spectacular, however, that even with better sound quality recordings out there, Heifetz still remains my top choice. Enjoy!

Greatest of All Time.......2005-03-16

If you want to get a feel for who Jascha Heifetz really was, as a musician and as a virtuoso, this recording is a must-have. Yes, as many listeners have noted, Heifetz tends to play his opening Allegro's extremely fast. However, you can hear every single note despite the mind-blowing speed. The combination of incredible technique and flawless intonation and tone-color make Heifetz, in my opinion, among the top three violinists who ever played. This recording is the best classical CD in my collection and a necessity for any Heifetz fan or serious collector.

Average customer rating:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations

The Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin , Johann Sebastian Bach , Bela Bartok , Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg , Johannes Brahms , Max Bruch , Arcangelo Corelli , Edward Elgar , Franz Joseph Haydn , Edouard Lalo , Felix Mendelssohn , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Carl Nielsen , Niccolo Paganini , Camille Saint-Saens , Jean Sibelius , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Michael Tippett , Henri Vieuxtemps , Antonio Vivaldi , William Walton , Alberto Lysy , Anatole Fistoulari , Antal Dorati , Anthony Bernard , Gaston Poulet , John Pitchard , Mogens Woldike , Pierre Boulez , and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
The Glory of Rostropovich: 80th Birthday Tribute
Schubert: 8 Symphonies
Heifetz Showpieces

ASIN: B0000BWTKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Assai
I. Vivace
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante Tranquillo
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
II. Allegro
II. Adagio

Tracks:

Romance No. 1 In G Major
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Larghetto
III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
III. Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
II. Adagio Molto
III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
I. Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
IV. Andante
V. Rondo (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
II. Adagio Religioso
III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
IV. Finale (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Cadenza
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
I. Praeludium (Largo)
I. Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
II. Allegro
III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.

Mendelssohn: Concertos for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Dazzling
Absolutely brilliant

Mendelssohn: Concertos for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto/Violin Concerto
Brahms: Sonata for 2 Pianos; Mendelssohn: Piano Trio #1; Martha Argerich
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Violin Concerto
Martha Argerich and Friends Live from the Lugano Festival 2005: Chamber Music
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

ASIN: B000001GAJ
Release Date: 1989-06-01

Tracks:

Con for Vn, Pno & Str Orch in d: 1. Allegro
Con for Vn, Pno & Str Orch in d: 2. Adagio
Con for Vn, Pno & Str Orch in d: 3. Allegro molto
Con for Vn & Str Orch in d: 1. Allegro molto
Con for Vn & Str Orch in d: 2. Andante-attacca:
Con for Vn & Str Orch in d: 3. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Dazzling.......2006-01-28

If you didn't know these were early works, you'd assume they were the dazzling works of a mature virtuoso. I had never heard them or heard of them before until stumbling on them via a search for Argerich recordings and I was completely bowled over from the first bars. I was so impressed and fascinated that I listened to the CD over and over that weekend. While I have a terrific home theater system, the sound recording on this CD is clearly above average: it's sumptuous and clear at the same time. That also goes for the performances which are crisp, dynamic, seductive, and have a dynamism all their own. They have given me even more respect for Mendelsohn's genius and the artistic excellence of the two soloists. I have rarely enjoyed a new CD so much.

Absolutely brilliant.......2002-03-12

These two youthful works of Mendelssohn's have only recently been rediscovered, and they put forth a fascinating glimpse into his early musical development. More importantly, however, they're just good music. Anyone who doubts the "child prodigy" status Mendelssohn has been given by historians should listen to these two works; how else could a fourteen-year old write music of this depth and virtuosity? The opening movements of both works are intricate and tightly constructed, employing to great effect the fugal technique that Mendelssohn mastered like no other musician, save maybe J.S. Bach. The middle movements are possessed of that airy transparency that characterizes so many Mendelssohn andantes; at the same time, however, they employ deceptively difficult virtuosic passages of the highest order. The finales of both pieces pull out all the stops, with racing tempi, scale passages and runs like very few others I've ever heard, and fatalistic codas firmly entrenched in the minor. Kremer and Argerich are up to the task, with an absolute mastery of the material and a particular emphasis on clarity; this is truly a "hear-every-note" CD recording. In addition, they manage to capture exquisitely the mood of each movement, varying their technique accordingly. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra backs them up with a tight, powerful, expansive performance. This is one of those CDs that ensures you'll never need another recording of the songs it contains, because it is, by far, the best. If you haven't discovered these early Mendelssohn masterpieces, this is definitely the CD to get to do it. If you're already familiar with them, listen to this CD for a new interpretation that will, in all likelihood, cause you to throw away the old recordings and keep this CD as the definitive performances of these two works.

Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos

Average customer rating:

well...
Alternative interpretations by a talented artist
EFMendelson
a new force to be reckoned with.
F for all accounts

Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky , Felix Mendelssohn , Lang Lang , Daniel Barenboim , and Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody
Lang Lang Live at Carnegie Hall
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Scriabin Etudes
Memory [Includes Bonus CD]
Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Balakirev / Lang Lang

ASIN: B000094HLE
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Tracks:

Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maestoso-Allegro Con Spririto
Andantino Semplice-Prestissimo-Tempo I
Allegro Con Fuoco
Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
Andante
Presto-Molto Allegro E Vivace

Amazon.com

Barely out of his teens on this recording, Lang Lang demonstrates plenty of virtuoso finger dexterity, but also places his personal stamp on the music. In the Tchaikovsky, a barn-burner of a piece that some pianists use to show how fast and loud they can play, Lang stresses the layers of intimacy alongside its more extroverted passages, which he plays with plenty of pianistic pyrotechnics. If his first movement seems disjointed, more a fantasia than a cohesive entity, he makes a virtue out of necessity through sharp accents that highlight its episodic character. Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony's brilliantly played accompaniments are in synch with Lang's approach. The Mendelssohn is a work that replaces bombast with elegant sparkle well suited to Lang's strengths. Lang is in his element here, sprinkling notes without breaking a sweat. There's stiff competition from classic performances by Argerich and Cliburn among many others in the Tchaikovsky, and Serkin, Schiff, and Thibaudet in the Mendelssohn, but Lang is well worth hearing. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

well..........2007-04-05

One day, a friend of mine who is a great pianist/musician played two different performer playing Tchaikovsky's Concerto without tellling me who's playing. After hearing them, I said "you played one best, one worst probably...?" He replied me back almost instantly "you got it!" The best one was by Horowitz and the other one is the one you are looking at it right now. Sorry to say this but I'm just telling you my experience. I personally think that somehow, Lang Lang is a bit over reputated by media.

Alternative interpretations by a talented artist.......2007-01-01

I regret that there is so much controversy over Lang Lang's performances. I for one am glad that various artists present their personal interpretations of various works. If every performer played exactly the same way and rigidly followed every note, marking, and tempo of each written score with no personal expression I would find musical performances not only boring but also, in many cases, unsatisfying. For example, I prefer some pieces of music played more slowly and lyrically than written while I prefer more robust interpretations of other music. Variety of interpretation allows me and other listeners to find one or more performances of a given piece of music which satisfy our individual tastes even though others may find the same performances unsatisfactory or even objectionable. Lang Lang is a very talented pianist with a unigue perspective which often results in alternative interpretations of classical standards. I enjoy hearing Lang Lang's interpretations, and find them interesting, even though they may not be my favorite ones. I cannot say whether you will or will not like this CD -- that depends upon your personal taste -- but you will find the performances competently played and not boring.

EFMendelson.......2006-11-23

Quite possibly the most pedantic and uninspired performances of the Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky concerti you could find. In the right hands, the opening movement of the Mendelssohn G Minor (e.g. as played by Rudolf Serkin or Murray Perahia) is one of the most exciting of all the romantic piano concertos. Unfortunately, as played by Lang Lang it devolves into a slipshod exercise of mediocrity. Lang's phrasings in the opening passages of the first movement are atrocious. I would have thought it an impossibility to eliminate the propulsive tension Mendelssohn created with this work but Lang Lang proves otherwise. The 2nd and 3rd movements suffer a similar mauling. As for the Tchaikovsky 1st, you can probably hear a better performance by the average senior piano major at your local state college and it won't cost you as much as this CD.

a new force to be reckoned with. .......2006-08-14

listen all you conservative classical music listeners. the days of conservative playing are gone. lang lang is the force behind the NEW classical music. he's trying to encourage all those young pop music lovers as well as classical music lovers to enjoy classical music. give him some credit. do you really think critics would rave about him if he was so bad as most people here says he is? he tops the charts everytime a cd comes out. would he able to do that if he was THAT BAD. you know. if you want to listen to argerich or janis for tchaikovsky or rachmaninov because lang lang's so bad, go ahead. no one's stopping you.
lang lang is the best pianist of this generation. he will revolutionize classical music.

F for all accounts.......2006-01-03

This guy is hyped by DG to gain entracne into Chinese market. Either he does not know the reportoir, or he is faking.

I give minus five, that is -5, for listening experience and -100 for spending money. Stay away from this dude. DG is trying to make money of a bogus guy.

Sound is no good when playing by CSO under outgoing Barenboim is worthless.

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Average customer rating:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | 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

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc.
Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; In Nature; Serenade for Winds; Serenade for Strings, etc.
Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies
Elgar: The 2 Symphonies; Enigma Variations; Overtures; Serenade; Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto
Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-6, 8 & 9

ASIN: B0009A1AJG
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Merce, Diletti Amici - O Tu, Che L'alma
Scena, Coro E Brindisi
Mamma...Quel Vino E Generoso
Lamento Di Federico
Improvviso
Come Un Bel Di Dimaggio
Oh! Fede Negar Potessi
Fontainebleau, Foresta Immense
Amor Ti Vieta
Cielo E Mar
Epilogo
Vesti La Giubba
Dio, Mi Potevi Scagliar
La Danza

Customer Reviews:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn.......2005-06-01

At last Claus Peter Flor's Mendelssohn symphonies, overtures and piano concertos (with Edelmann) have returned. On the basis of these recordings (all previously issued) Flor, who is probably in his early 50s now, is still one of the better Mendelssohn conductors out there.

In particular, his Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 have been hailed by critics on this side of the Atlantic for their beauty, proportion and Mendelssohnian sensibility. His other symphonies are also good and his collected overtures have been revered on both sides of the Atlantic by critics from Gramophone (which gave the overtures a rosette) to American Record Guide (which continued to promote his works even after they were out of print).

Flor's regualr partner in these performances, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, is a European band of the second rank. While not being confused with the more well-known orchestras in Vienna, Berlin or London, they perform universally well in these CDs in recordings that sound better than ever.

This is a very good collection of Mendelssohn's symphonic music and piano concertos that will rank with the best recorded boxes including Abbado and Karajn. In musical terms is far exceeds the collections led by Masur, Ashkenazy and the newer Naxos cycle of mixed quality.

Collectors that have never heard Flor conduct (or have never heard of him) can rest assured that this is a worthy alternative collection in this music. If this grouping and this price are attractive, go for it.

Average customer rating:

Heifetz!! This is a superb cd.

Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn: Concertos

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:

Heifetz: Beethoven & Brahms Concertos (Beethoven: Concerto for violin in D; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77)
Sibelius, Prokofiev, Glazunov: Violin Concertos
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77
Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy

ASIN: B000003EOI
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Concerto In D, Op. 35: Allegro moderato
Concerto In D, Op. 35: Canzonetta
Concerto In D, Op. 35: Allegro vivacissimo
Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
Serenade Melancolique, Op. 26
Serenade In C, Op. 48: Waltz

Amazon.com essential recording

In Mendelssohn as in everything else, violinist Jascha Heifetz plays with brilliance and an edgy intensity that impart a feeling of urgency to the music even in its most poetic moments. He brings dazzling technique and heart-on-the-sleeve Romanticism to his searing interpretation, and is brilliantly backed up by Charles Munch and the Bostonians. The recording is spacious, clean, and tonally quite accurate, though Heifetz is a bit closely miked. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Heifetz!! This is a superb cd........2000-09-13

I don't know what Musicfan is talking about, Jascha Heifetz really brings out the soul into Tchaikovsky music. I can't complain about anything. NONE of his notes are out of tune, He DOESN'T play too fast (he plays the notes at the right tempo, but the notes are clipped because it's his style), and he never ignores the dynamics. Since I play the violin, I would say he is very fun to listen to, what every violin player should strive for. The Violin Concerto by tchaikovsky is performed beautifully,the soulful canzonetta and serenade melancholique are played superbly. This is definitely NOT a boring cd. If you want to have fun, you definitely should buy this cd, I listen to it every day

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Recording
Outstanding Pianist

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos
Britten: Lachrymae
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Mendelssohn: Octet; Quintets Nos. 1 & 2; Quartet No. 2
Strauss & Headington: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000000AT4
Release Date: 1994-01-04

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op.25: Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op.25: Andante
Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op.25: Presto - Molto Allegro E Vivace - Tempo 1
Piano Concerto No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: Allegro Appassionato
Concerto No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: Adagio: Molto Sostenuto
Concerto No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 40: Finale. Presto Scherzando
Capriccio Brillant, Op.22: Andante - Allegro Con Fuoco

Amazon.com

Mendelssohn's First Piano Concerto is much more popular, and more frequently played, than his Second. When you listen to this disc, you'll find out why. The First is an inspired piece with memorable themes, enjoyable but not ostentatious display for the piano, and a great sense of fun. The Second has unmemorable themes and a similar style without conveying the sense of fun. For that matter, I've never thought much of the Capriccio brillant, a rather empty showpiece. For those who like lesser Mendelssohn better than I do, this disc is very well played throughout, although the piano takes Howard Shelley's attention away from conducting and the orchestral playing isn't as distinctive as the piano playing. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Recording.......2003-03-03

This stunner is worth the Penguin Rosette and recommendation from Gramophone magazine. The playing is stunning. The orchestra is in finest form. And the digital recording is fabulous - crystal clear, well balanced. No muddy piano parts. The notes are clearly heard and played at a thrilling pace. Very very highly recommended.

Outstanding Pianist.......2000-12-26

Listening to Howard Shelley and Felix Mendelssons Piano Concerto Nr 1 brought back great memories when I was a youth. The sad yearning especially Molto Allegro Con Fuoco is particularly hauntingly beautiful. Give it a try get the kids to bed put your feet up get a bottle of good beer say a McEwans and a glass of good sherry and listen to Howard direct and Play this hauntingly beautiful concerto. It remind me somewhat of some of Mozart's earlier Piano Concerto's .

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Music Review: 20th Century Masters Best of Disco [Import]

Sacred Cantatas Bwv 176-178

Ninon Vallin-The Complete Pathé-Art Recordings, 1927-1929

Spirits Rejoice

Ricardo Arjona Y Sus Amigos

Piano Concerti 19 & 23

Porgy & Bess [Import]

La Verdadera Historia de...

Purple Hulk [Explicit Lyrics]

The Butterfly Lovers

Musica de Sobrevivencia