Search - Bruch, Brahms, Zukerman :: Violin Concerti

Zukerman plays well, but the whole thing is middle-of-the-ro

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/25/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Pinchas Zukerman has had his share of fame and PBS specials, but he's lingered for years in the shadow of his contemorary, Itzhak Perlman. RCA chose to spotlight Zukerman after they lost the young Perlman to EMI, and here we get a starry pairing of him and Zubin Mehta. Thee's nothing wrong with any aspect of this CD--Zukerman and the L.A. Phil. are pros in the Brahms, and Mehta, though he makes the rhythm slack at times, holds up his end.



Why, then, is nothing really outstanding? Charmisma is hard to expalin, but zukerman lacks it on this CD. He doesn't dig into the music or seem to feel it very personally. The Bruch fares much the same--you only have to compare Zukerman's opening solo to Perlman, Vengerov, or Shaham to feel that he's too matter-of-fact. Mehta snoozes at the switch too often, and the result lacks the kind of fire needed to keep this Victorian favorite alive and on its feet.



I feel for Zukerman, but on the other hand, given his fame in America, maybe he's lucky to have gained so much fame with performances this ordinary."

The second best Brahms, BEST BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO RECORDING

Ho J. Kim | 07/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I don't know why Pinchas Zukerman recordings are not as widely known as Perlman and Bell, even though he's the best violinist in world!!



The Bruch recording by Zukerman is unique, he has the perfect tone and sound for this concerto.



If you want just an ordinary brahms/bruch cd, buy any recording you want.



If you want the best brahms/bruch cd, buy this cd, you'll never regret.



Pinchas Zukerman's brahms is also one of the kind, again, the tone and sound fits perfect for this piece."