As fine a version as any
SwissDave | Switzerland | 04/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have a great number of Brahms VC recordings, and this is one of my favourite three or four (that is, along with Neveu's live performances, Szeryng's with Monteux, and Heifetz's with Reiner - admittedly there's a number of other fine recordings, by Oistrakh, Kogan, Mutter, Milstein, Martzy, Szigeti, Stern, Hahn etc.). It's one of the most lyrical accounts, passionate, stressing the sheer beauty of the music, perfectly accompanied, and it's very well-recorded. It's positively glorious, and even if it were my only version, I would have no complaints. If there is anything negative to say, if one looks awfully hard, one might find minor intonation problems in the first movement that are apparently due to the fact that it was recorded in a single run-through and not touched up - and quite honestly, I wouldn't want it to be any other way, as indeed, this recording preserves all the freshness, directness, cohesion and sheer life of a live performance in golden era stereo "studio" (= Concertgebouw Amsterdam!) sound quality. Don't miss it!
Greetings from Switzerland, David."
A composer for a conductor!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 12/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Historically it's well known the great affinity that always existed between Brahms and Van Beinum as one of his most famed interpreters.
And once more, this recording validates the previous affirmation. His Alto Rhapsody still remains among the best available golden choices ever. Tonal opulence, wonderful phrasing and vigorous expression.
The version recorded here of Brahms violin Concerto is a true exhumation. This is the first time it has been released on CD and believe me, one of the top five versions ever recorded (to my mind the other four would be Ginette Neveu, Jasha Heifetz, Isaac Stern and Henryk Szeryng, under the baton of Rafael Kubelik in a live performance, still available under Orpheus label) . Arthur Grumiaux demonstrates why he was one of the ten violinists of the century. His marvelous tune, his kaleidoscopic temperament and sheer technique confer this Op. of sobriety, charm, expressiveness, elegance and special emphasis around its introspective character. Grumiaux- like Cortot- uses the violin to express the unsaid facets of the score.
The result is a formidable album, whose historical importance is by itself a primordial factor at the moment to make your choice.
Don't let this album pass in front of you and acquire it before it becomes unavailable.
"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1