Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto - the right way

[Drasko]

For a truly epic Russian version, the Kogan-Silvestri is "non pareil". Have you guys tried it? It is absolute awesome and I am comparing with Heifetz, Oistrakh, Milstein, Repin, etc, etc

Yes, I have Kogan/Silvestri. It's my second favorite, after Heifetz/Barbirolli. My third pick would probably be Gitlis/Hollreiser. From current crop of violinists I'd love to hear Suwanai (later one, I think she has two recordings). With disappearance of Philips her recordings will be even more difficult to get.

[Carolus]

I've other versions to recommend:
Vadin Repin-Arnold Katz (he was 16 at the time)
Milstein-Stock (1940)
Erica Morini-Desire Defaw (1945)
Erica Morini-Rodzinsky (1956)
Ossy Renardy-Munch
Tossy Spivakovsky-Walter Goehr
Vladimir Spivakov-Seiji Osawa
Erick Friedman-Dimiter Manolov

[Lethevich]

Tossy Spivakovsky-Walter Goehr

I keep running into this one in secondhand LP stores and have been wondering about what it is like...

[Drasko]

I keep running into this one in secondhand LP stores and have been wondering about what it is like...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LiCEamtgyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE8TRj1u1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvjhCMww0vI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J22rCEoCJM

Vadin Repin-Arnold Katz (he was 16 at the time)

How does Repin/Katz compare with newer Repin/Gergiev?

[Carolus]

Don't know. Don't have the new recording. But the first is fantastic IMHO.

[Lethevich]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LiCEamtgyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE8TRj1u1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvjhCMww0vI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J22rCEoCJM

Thanks! This is good stuff.

[MichaelRabin]

I heard the Tossy on U-Tube but still prefer Kogan-Silvestri. By the way, I also have the Philips Suwanai-Ashkenazy Czech PO version too. But Kogan is tops.

[ccar]

But Kogan is tops.

And I was wondering what do you (MichaelRabin) think about the Michael Rabin's version.

Carlos

[Brian]

Interesting mention of Kogan/Nebolsin - I guess that would mean getting the Kogan box on Brilliant?

For about US$30, the Kogan box on Brilliant gets you sensational recordings of the Tchaikovsky, Mozart No 3, Beethoven, and Barber, plus two Grieg violin sonatas, two Carmen Fantasies (Waxman and Sarasate), and a ton of other material. Definitely worth the asking price and much more besides!

[Drasko]

I heard the Tossy on U-Tube but still prefer Kogan-Silvestri. By the way, I also have the Philips Suwanai-Ashkenazy Czech PO version too. But Kogan is tops.

This is not Highlander, there can be more than one.

How did you like Suwanai/Ashkenazy on its own, not in comparison with Kogan.

[Renfield]

This is not Highlander, there can be more than one.

We need to put this on display somewhere prominent. It would prevent a lot of unnecessary arguments; and in style, to boot.

On topic, I am quite interested in the Kogan/Nebolsin; perhaps it might 'do' for me what the Heifetz/Barbirolli does not. Especially since I remember greatly appreciating Kogan's contribution to the Kogan-Gilels-Rostropovich Trio.

[Brian]

On a side note:

to owners of the Kogan/Nebolsin, when Kogan is playing alternate versions of the violin part at the end of the exposition and again at the end of the recap, is he playing revisions made by the composer, an alternative reading that arose at some point over time, or a new passage he just made up? Every time I hear it, the passage sticks out at me, and I am wondering who is responsible for the difference.

[MichaelRabin]

And I was wondering what do you (MichaelRabin) think about the Michael Rabin's version.

Carlos

Inferior, Carlos. The live Philadelphia Orchestra Rabin-W Smith version is better. Do you have this? Rabin's best concerto recording from that EMI set are the Paganini VC1s.

[MichaelRabin]

This is not Highlander, there can be more than one.

How did you like Suwanai/Ashkenazy on its own, not in comparison with Kogan.

Not bad. If I heard it first, then its an OK version. But I heard the Kogan 1st and all versions are inferior to Leonid's! Sorry!

[MichaelRabin]

On a side note:

to owners of the Kogan/Nebolsin, when Kogan is playing alternate versions of the violin part at the end of the exposition and again at the end of the recap, is he playing revisions made by the composer, an alternative reading that arose at some point over time, or a new passage he just made up? Every time I hear it, the passage sticks out at me, and I am wondering who is responsible for the difference.

It is Leopold Auer's "extras" added onto th concerto. After he did not want to play it, the premiere fell to Brodsky. Later, Auer accepted the concerto and taught it to his pupils and also wrote out the "extras" which Heifetz and Kogan used in their recordings.

[ccar]

Inferior, Carlos. The live Philadelphia Orchestra Rabin-W Smith version is better. Do you have this? Rabin's best concerto recording from that EMI set are the Paganini VC1s.

Yes, from the Philadelphia Centennial set. And I fully agree with you.

Carlos

[Carolus]

There are other versions by famous players, but they don't catch
the meaning of the piece, IMO: Ricci, Campoli, Francescatti or Menuhin.

[MichaelRabin]

Its not an "other version" but just some transpositions and re-positionings on chords, arpeggios, cuts that Auer put in. Its is not as different as Paganini-Kreisler VC 1 (1st mvt) against the original Paganini VC . Not that is an entire re-working of the original.

[snyprrr]

I agree with Herman. I don't hear "violence and dark undertones" in the Violin Concerto. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm reminded that film compoer Bill Conti stole the first movement's big tune to underscore moments of success and triumph in The Right Stuff. My own favorite version, powerful, intense and moving but never maudlin or kitschy is Boris Belkin's with Ashkenazy conducting.

Sarge

So now, you caught me in an Ashkenazy mood. I was enjoying Belkin's second DSCH 1 recording on Denon- one reeeally hEARS THE TIMPANI IN THE SLOW MOVEMENT HERE!!(WHOOPS)00oo

For Tchai. is was thinking about Kremer,... didn't like Zuckerman... I think for this Tchai. I need extreme...

I really don't like the Big Orchestral Tune in the 1st movement,- I mean,- that's pretty bombastic- but the solo part is just Van Halen all the way. i also liked the Repin and Vengerov and Mullova and Midori-

aye- I can't believe I'm consideing this???- I really must have some CDCDCD if I'm getting TchaiVC. get get get more more more

unless you have some recs for Prokofiev 4 (either/both)

[snyprrr]

Kremer or Vengerov?


I've whittled it down to these two. What do you think? Kremer sounds intriguing, even as a First Listen?