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Mendelssohn, Dvorak: Violin Concertos
Antonin Dvorak, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Eugene Ormandy
Mendelssohn, Dvorak: Violin Concertos
Genre: Classical
 
This is a wonderful recording of two famous, justly beloved concertos played with all the romantic ardor, poetic lyricism, urgent drama, serenity, and ecstasy one could wish for. Stern's technique is impeccable, his tone g...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Antonin Dvorak, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
Title: Mendelssohn, Dvorak: Violin Concertos
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony
Release Date: 5/16/1995
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 074646682722, 007464668272

Synopsis

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This is a wonderful recording of two famous, justly beloved concertos played with all the romantic ardor, poetic lyricism, urgent drama, serenity, and ecstasy one could wish for. Stern's technique is impeccable, his tone gorgeous: the low register has a warm glow, the top a soaring, celestial shimmer. His phrasing is elegant, his expressiveness simple, deeply inward, never sentimental or exaggerated. Dvorák's less familiar, lovely Romance in F-minor, adapted from the slow movement of an unpublished string quartet, predates the concerto by several years. Dvorák later orchestrated the original piano part, adding much color and atmosphere. Based on a lilting, tender, melancholy theme, it becomes suddenly lively and affirmative in the coda; after some major-minor fluctuations, it surges up passionately and floats into sunlit serenity. Among other Dvorák recordings, that by Josef Suk, the composer's great-grandson and representing the family tradition, is also splendid. --Edith Eisler

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CD Reviews

Truly the best!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | 01/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was extremely desterbed to see the earlier review that called this a "dead" performance. Clearly the reviewer is a novice at the art of listening. For my part, I have loved this particular piece ever since I heard it. The previous reviewer should know that I and a close friend of mine (who happens to play the violin and has studied this piece) carfully analized this performance and that of several other performers. It should be know that in the face of admittedly stiff competition (Perlman & Lin), Stern's performance topped them all! He plays every note, has perfect timing, and makes an extremely demanding piece seem effortless!I am only sad that Mr. Stern is not with us anymore and can no longer treat us to these wonderful performances."
No other violinist has the Sound Of Isaac Stern!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | 01/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stern's Mendelssohn is one of the top 5 recordings of this Piece. No other violinst has the Stern Sound, Color,or nuance that he has. Also he is one of the top 5 violinst of all time, along with Heifetz. I don't know what this other reviewer is saying about scratch scratch. This recording of the Mendelssohn is Beautiful! Take a listen also to his recording of the Bernstein Serenade written by Leonard Bernstein."
One of the most neglected pages of the Violinist literature!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 12/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the moment Beethoven wrote his admirable, and monumental Op. 61 in D minor, the audiences around the world seem to have closed the curtains. I must admit this Violin Concerto is the Violin Concerto per excellence, but that would not be impediment to become inflexible respect other notable works and let 's insist, minor projects that nevertheless possess texture and melodic richness.



To my mind, the intransigence veil has accented specially around three notable works: Dvorak, Schumann and Hubay. I would even affirm that the D minor 's syndrome empowered of the musical taste 's great audiences: Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Mendelssohn and Sibelius. And there has been a major receptivity in what concerns to listen new Concertos for other instruments. (How many people do really know Korngold, Enescu, Prokoviev, Shostakovich, Busoni, Bartok and Berg `s Violin Concertos? Just to name some few)



Dvorak 's Violin Concert seems to have been sheltered by the eminent Isaac Stern since the early Fifties. Somehow this notable soloist found the key to get inside to the core of this nostalgic breath that permeates almost the score. If you add it besides, the presence of the most remarkable strings section, ever existed in previous or later American ensembles and the notable contribution of Eugene Ormandy, you will have all the available terms of this decision matrix. If you want, just listen any other random version and compare by yourself.



You may find perhaps, sumptuous performances and expansive performances like Johana Martzy-Fricsay in 1953 (my second choice), and a live recording hard to find recording with Zino Francescati in the early Fifties but both of them never overcome this supreme status.



The Mendelssohn to my mind is the most incandescent and noblesse performance ever recorded.



Recommended without hindrances of any genre.



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