Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Niccolo Paganini :: Yehudi Mehuhin, Vol. 1

Menuhin still at the peak of his powers!

Adam | 12/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has been released by the relatively unknown label of Doremi - but nevertheless it's good to see live recordings on CD format avaliable for the public to purchase. This CD - Yehudi Menuhin Volumme 1 is in my opinion worth the $60 Australian dollars I paid for it. It's satisfying and enriching.

How about I go through it work by work to give you all a better idea on the CD's contents:





Bach Chaconne - 1949 recording.



Menuhin adds a great depth to the Chaconne in this very nice recording. His sound is beautiful, intonation generally fantastic, phrasing beyond words. I highly recommend this beautiful performance but with only one slight piece of advise to those picky violinists out there: If you don't like the Menuhin sound of bow hitting the strings (you know what I mean) - it's a distinctive sound and sometimes gets on people's nerves so if your one of these people I'd go for the 1934 version under EMI when Menuhin was 18 - though this 1949 IMO shows much more maturity.





Bach Violin Concerto in E (1940)



A beautiful rendition of Bach's 2nd Violin Concerto, no wobbly bowing at all, beautiful intonation, warm mellow sound - the only only problem - the speed. IMO it's too slow and heavy - I prefer the 1930's recording Menuhin did under Enescu's baton. In this one it's like....come on!!! Take it in small doses - it's like a heavy cheescake.



Brahms Violin Concerto (1940)



Menuhin plays this beautifully and the Enescu cadenza for the 1st mvt is a pleasant surprise since I rarely hear violinists perform his cadenza. Nothing more to add!





Paganini Violin Concerto No 1 (1940)



This version (live) nearly matches up to the supreme 1934 version Menuhin did under Monteux with the Paris Symphony Orchestra (EMI). Only 3 things pull it down from reaching that level of the 34 version:



* Menuhin makes a tiny little mistake in a run in the 1st mvt - in the 1934 version there is never a mistake.

* The double stop harmonics are very good - but are not as secure and do not ring as loudly as the 34 version

* The orchestra "New Friends of Music" comes in early at the end of the cadenza to the 1st mvt - it sounds really stupid and they make numerous boo boo's in the orchestral playing in the 1st mvt (but hey is a live recording!)



Paganini Violin Concerto no 2 (1947)



I don't recommend this recording at all for two main reasons:



*The shoom of this 47 recording is about 3 times that of the 1940 recordings on these disks! It's crappy sound - you can hardly hear Menuhin play let alone make a comment on his playing.

* The speed (especially of the 1st mvt) is awfully, painfully slow - I hate the tempo!



Though it is a rare insight into Menuhin's early recordings and worth having to listen to...



Overall the layout is 5 stars. You get a very nice booklet with pictures of the posters of the 1940 Carnegie Concert, information on Menuhin and pictures of the 78's used to record the recordings on the disk.



I recommend this Menuhin volumme from Doremi because I think you'll really like the Brahms, Paganini 1, Bach (Chaconne) and be really interested in the Bach and Paganini 2. Menuhin is a legend let us all remember that!







"