Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo; Allegro molto vivace
RCA has coupled, recoupled, and re-recoupled their Heifetz recordings in just about every conceivable incarnation, making it very difficult and confusing for the collector to purchase the best of them in a simple and strai... more »ghtforward way. This "Living Stereo" reissue, however, really does offer the best sound so far, and the performances are second to none. Heifetz's Mendelssohn has always led the field: for lightness, athleticism, grace, and virtuosity, it's unsurpassed. In a work that many violinists take for granted, Heifetz's high-powered approach really does remind us what great music this really is and how it responds to a violinist with a real sense of bravura. The coupling--a superb Beethoven concerto--provides a real antidote to so many modern performances that mistake slowness for depth. If any disc deserves to be called "essential," this one does. --David Hurwitz« less
RCA has coupled, recoupled, and re-recoupled their Heifetz recordings in just about every conceivable incarnation, making it very difficult and confusing for the collector to purchase the best of them in a simple and straightforward way. This "Living Stereo" reissue, however, really does offer the best sound so far, and the performances are second to none. Heifetz's Mendelssohn has always led the field: for lightness, athleticism, grace, and virtuosity, it's unsurpassed. In a work that many violinists take for granted, Heifetz's high-powered approach really does remind us what great music this really is and how it responds to a violinist with a real sense of bravura. The coupling--a superb Beethoven concerto--provides a real antidote to so many modern performances that mistake slowness for depth. If any disc deserves to be called "essential," this one does. --David Hurwitz
nderrick | Holland, Michigan United States | 06/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beethoven Violin concerto: Heifetz plays this piece well, but he plays it like Tchaikovsky. Beethoven wrote this concerto in a different period than the music Heifetz is good at. Each note is perfect (the norm for Heifetz) and the tempo is fast, but the fantasic playing seems out of place for an older violin concerto.Mendelssohn Violin Conerto: You have not heard this concerto performed well until you have Heard Heifetz. I would pay 50$ for this piece alone. The woodwinds in the orchestra are a bit too strong, but some good use of sound controls can minimize this. Even with the woodwinds, my ears nearly fell off when I heard this recording of what I consider the second best violin piece of all time. (Tchaikovsky wins by a hair) I heard Itzahk in person last winter, and his live performance barely was a worthy comparison to this "living stereo" recording by Heifetz.Buy this CD, If you don't, you will be missing the greatest recording of Mendelssohn in existance. If I could I would rate it 10 stars, no joke."
Sadly, this was the first recording of Beethoven's concerto
Wayne Scott | Atlantic Beach, Florida | 04/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...that I ever heard. And it spoiled me for life. I have, consequently, always regarded the first movement as the singularly most beautiful melody I've ever heard. And Heifitz is magnificent."
The fastest tempo
M. TON | 09/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have brought quite a few version of Beethoven Violin Concerto now, like many others, I am sure we all want to hear how different master of violin interpret this piece.I think Heifetz version must be ranked as the fastest, tempo-wise. You can see the playtime of the 1st movement is about 3 min quicker than the average (18-19 + min for Heifetz, the rest usually 21- 24 + min). That is of course needed to consider different cadenza, too.Some people find fast playing a problem. It feels like rushing but for Heifetz, he is certainly not rushing. He is just fast with certainty and accuracy. It's a delight to hear.The Mendelssohn is amazingly powerful, clean and moving. One must see him play to fully visualise what a great man he is. You can see him playing this piece on DVD (the EMI Classic archive series). He hardly moves while playing, not much facial emotion. But he is so assure and firm. Shame it's only the first movement though. However, it's certainly worth the penny.As for this CD, I am so glad that I own a copy. The Living Stereo Sound Quality is good, the artist and musicians are excellent. The price is a bargain.I do not listen it too often. It is not because I don't like it. It's just that every time I listen to it, I don't want to do anything else but listen carefully. And that's not easy!The great man is surely a legend of our last century."
Heifetz lets us hear Beethoven as it was meant to be heard
End User | 10/31/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jascha Heifetz approach to the Beethoven Concerto is an un-cerebral reading. By that I mean that all other violinists get sentimental about this work. That is understandable as the music is of tremendous beauty. However, when one becomes sentimental or emotional, they inadverdantly infuse their own musical ideas (regardless of the fact that they claim that they are letting the music speak). I know that Heifetz has strong emotional ties for this piece (he wants us to feel the music as it was written, this is apparent), but he does not let that interfer with his delivery of Beethoven's message. The tempi can be ruined by a cerebral interpretation. This speaks to me in many other interpretations. I cannot appreciate the music when I can sense that the artist seems to be playing slowly because they are so caught their own interpretation of the music. That feels like an egotistical display of emotion. Heifetz is a true musician. Because Heifetz will not display an emotional reading of this piece, we can hear Beethoven's music with all of the peaks and valleys that the composer intended. We cannot feel the emotion if it is evident that the artist has beaten us to it."
Unquestionably brilliant
End User | Sacramento, CA | 04/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I inevitably wonder how the great Ludwig von feels when he takes back seat in a musical program, as if that thunderhead scowl could get any worse. And though he rarely has to play second banana, it happens here. The Beethoven concerto is certainly stunning, played pitch perfectly by Heifetz, and would be worth the price of the disc by itself, but the Mendelssohn concerto is an absolute tour de force. I aver with all sincerity that Mendelssohn's E-minor is the greatest violin concerto ever written, and you would be hard-pressed to convince me otherwise.
The recording itself is fantastic as well. Heifetz, as usual, is pure perfection. He nails these two pieces. Such effortless virtuoisity makes you want to stand up and applaud your sound system when he finally lifts bow from strings. I have never been able to adequately decide which is my favorite recording of the Mendelssohn concerto, Heifetz's for his precision or Yehudi Menuhin's (with the Bruch concerto) for his heart-rending violin poetry. My suggestion: Buy them both. For twenty-odd bucks you can own two equally magnificent discs that provide an intriguing contrast in styles. Bravo, Signori!"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
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