Search - Max Bruch, Henri Vieuxtemps, Malcolm Sargent :: Bruch: Concerto for violin in Gm; Scottish Fantasy

Best in scottish fantasy but a little rough on V

windfactor | 07/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bruch concerto he did very well. It's quite a thrill to hear especially the first movement with his intrepretation and speed. If you like his style I also recommand his Sibelius concerto in D, listen to the third movement that's where Hifetz definitely earned himself his fame. The Scottish fantacy he played is definitely the best I've ever heard, as compared to Midori, Pearlman etc. if not my subjective opinion, listen for the precision which is really impressive and what he was well known for. sadly, his Vieuxtemps wasn't so precise. The mid parts of the first movement gets rough as the notes accelerate. The scratches are not hard to find and any novice could notice them. I think he might be getting old and perhaps couldn't summon up enough stamina to put up with the flashy scales. That however, being a fan of Heiftz myself would understand since this was quite common in his late works and it happens to all musicians. He did well in the third movement though. It's a short 1 min and 10 sec movement and there was a thrust of energy that Mr. Heifetz gave in the final ascend which energized it to perfection. Unlike Sarah Chang's intrepretation I personally enjoyed Heifetz's better. He is the kind of man that makes exciting pieces aflame. Anyways, I give it a 5 star in spite of the flaws in Vieuxtems. He did so well in the parts I described above, far surpassing any of his contemperories and even the generations nowadays. trust me it's worth it. Buy his Sibelius too and listen to the third movement."

Simply the Best

F. Rupert | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These classic recordings were issued in the early 1960s in excellent sound. Unlike many earlier Heifetz records, you don't have to make allowances for the substandard, boxy sound that seems to be the norm for the majority of Heifetz recordings from the 1950's (the Brahms Concerto being a notable exception). The performances are first-rate, especially the Scottish Fantasy. This has been recorded by quite a few violinists (Perlman, Chung, etc.), but nobody else comes close to the awesome exhibition of virtuosity Heifetz provides. Perhaps you have to play the violin to grasp what you're hearing, but the Finale is hair-raising. Everyone else sounds like they're working hard in the Finale, but not Jascha. One of the great, classic violin recordings. BUY IT."

Wow!

Ryan | USA | 01/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have three recordings of the Bruch VC, Perlman, Midori, Kyung Wha Chung,and all of them are pretty good, with Perlman standing out in the group of three, but when I heard Heifetz's rendition I was blown away. The 1st movement, which is played quite often, had a new flair to it that made me feel like i HADNT heard the piece 1000 times. The second movement was very heartfelt and the best I have heard, along with the technically perfect 3rd mvt. As for the Scottish Fantasy, it's the best around, and I havent really listened to teh Vieuxtemps yet, but so far an AWESOME CD, especially the VC, a must have!!!!"