Search - Max Bruch, Edward Elgar, Landon Ronald :: Elgar / Bruch: Violin Concertos

Top Quality Reproductions of Famous Recordings

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 10/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are the best reproductions I have ever heard of these famous recordings. All credit to Mark Obert-Thorn, who created them from pre-war US Victor sets. In the early days of audio tape and long playing records, it was rumoured that the original masters of the Elgar concerto in the EMI vaults had been destroyed after a transfer to audio tape had been deemed satisfactory. True, the audio tape transfers when issued on LP sounded good enough, but many music lovers regretted that future processing work on the original masters was no longer an option. Well, here in a new century and at the price of a cup of coffee and a sandwich are miracles of sound reproduction that banish all regrets. Of all the recordings Elgar made of his music, this is the one that has the least "historic" sound to modern ears. String playing in the old-fashioned "slide from note to note" way was apparently something Elgar allowed or encouraged when he recorded his orchestral works, but it is barely evident here, and even less so in the playing of the young Yehudi Menuhin. The recording of the Bruch Concerto, an all round success, was made in London's Small Queen's Hall in 1931 and was, I believe, Menuhin's first concerto recording."

Classic performances in great sound

Richard A. Cavalla | NJ, USA | 03/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are the classic accounts by the youthful Menuhin, now available at budget price on the Naxos Historical label. The Elgar is conducted by the composer himself, and he conducts it superbly. At 50 minutes, it may be the longest violin concerto in the standard reportoire, and easily subject to moments of blandness, but not in the hands of Menuhin and Elgar. It is played with a deep involvement and sensitivity, incredibly emotional yet never crossing the line to sentimentality. If you like Menuhin or Elgar or the violin or just great music, you owe it to yourself to pick up this timeless performance. The filler, an excellent Bruch Concerto in g conducted by Landon Ronald, is icing on the cake. As for the sound - it is amazing! Mark Obert-Thorn's audio restorations make these nearly 70-year old recordings sound great. Recommended without hesitation."