Search - Max Bruch, Norbert Kirchmann, Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen :: Bruch: Violin Concerto No 2/Organ Suite

Interesting CD

Captain Classical | Texas | 05/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having heard most of the recordings of the Bruch D Minor Concerto that are now available, I was curious to get this one. Maybe I shouldn't have been so curious. Jochen Brusch is an unknown violinist to me and this recording may not help him come up through the ranks.



If I had to rename this version of the piece, I'd call it the Bruch Violin Concerto accompanied by Jochen Brusch. Never before have I heard a concerto where the soloist takes such a back seat to the orchestra as in this recording. Partly it is because the difficulties of the Bruch seem to overwhelm Brusch. Often the soloist and orchestra are not together when the going gets rough in the violin part. Brusch seems to want to slow down whereas the conductor wants to keep things moving along which he should do, of course. The lack of virtuosity is quite apparent - particularly when listening to the orchestral parts which is what you are drawn to do.



If you are wondering why I gave this CD 5 stars - it is simply because of the Organ Suite. I've never heard it before and this is a magnificient find! I believe it's the only recorded version and anyone who loves rich, thick, Bruch orchestations with a bonus of a beautiful organ part - should buy this CD. It is simply beautiful and worth the price of the CD alone."