Beethoven Violin Concerto

[MichaelRabin]

Highlights include:

- Stern/Bernstein (too powerful and intense not to be high on the list, but let down by recording a bit)

Dirk

I saw a great re-mastering in Singapore (produced by HK re-mastering engineers) - I had a listen - sounds good but they wanted SGD26 - which is a bit steep for 45 mins CD. They also had same series for Stern's Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn VC.

[MichaelRabin]

Another old-timer with many sterling qualities: Bronislaw Gimpel (w. Heinrich Hollreiser). I don't know if that's available right now, but it circulate around. Recommended if you stumble upon it.

I friend sent me this MP3. I tidied it up and have the cover tidied up as well using Photoshop.

[Florestan]

In terms of historical recordings, I'm surprised no one mentioned the Bronislaw Hubermann / George Szell / Wiener Philharmoniker version of 1934, which is an absolute gem, the most intense and idiosyncratic Beethoven VC I've ever heard. As a close second comes the 1939 Max Straub / Karl Boehm / Staatskapelle Dresden recording.

[Lilas Pastia]

There's a lot in terms of sonic enjoyment that doesn't come through with very old recordings. The all-important bassoon line for example doesn't sound with the succulence and tonal relish that is so rewarding when it's recorded properly. Specialists and true aficionados will factor in what's missing, but IMO they're not for the general public.

So, as you mention, it's "in terms of historical recordings" that these can best be appreciated.

[MN Dave]

In terms of historical recordings, I'm surprised no one mentioned the Bronislaw Hubermann / George Szell / Wiener Philharmoniker version of 1934, which is an absolute gem, the most intense and idiosyncratic Beethoven VC I've ever heard. As a close second comes the 1939 Max Straub / Karl Boehm / Staatskapelle Dresden recording.

Oop?

[dirkronk]

In terms of historical recordings, I'm surprised no one mentioned the Bronislaw Hubermann / George Szell / Wiener Philharmoniker version of 1934, which is an absolute gem, the most intense and idiosyncratic Beethoven VC I've ever heard.

Actually, that was in my post, and for good reason, though admittedly I offered no elaboration of why. Your advocacy and evaluation, however, surely makes up for my oversight.


Dirk

[Florestan]

Actually, that was in my post

Oops, I missed that line, sorry! : )

[PerfectWagnerite]

I don't have too many versions of this work (like around 10 at last count) but my favorite is this one:



for it's warmth and straightforwardness.

[Gurn Blanston]

Having become satiated, even bored, by the concerto after thirty-five years listening to various performances, the Zehetmair/Brüggen CD was the blast of proverbial fresh air that renewed my enthusiasm for the work. Despite the merits of the classic performances mentioned in this thread, Zehetmair is now my desert island pick.

Sarge

Ditto.

Q,
You are showing that on Decca. Mine is on Philips... of course, they are all the same company, I suppose, but I would have thought... nah, why apply thought to record companies?

[Renfield]

the Bronislaw Hubermann / George Szell / Wiener Philharmoniker version of 1934, which is an absolute gem, the most intense and idiosyncratic Beethoven VC I've ever heard.

QFT

I recently got my hands on Arabella Steinbacher's recording, on which an IRR reviewer lavished much praise.

So I'm withholding my favourites until I hear it, just in case.

[Que]

Ditto.

Q,
You are showing that on Decca. Mine is on Philips... of course, they are all the same company, I suppose, but I would have thought... nah, why apply thought to record companies?

The right of Universal to use the name Philips (of the Dutch electronics company) has expired, probably the reason they used Decca.

Q 

[Gurn Blanston]

The right of Universal to use the name Philips (of the Dutch electronics company) has expired, probably the reason they used Decca.

Q

Ah.     Complicated business. In any case, get one version or the other, it's a great recording.

[Valentino]

Heifetz/Munch on Living Stereo.

[George]

Heifetz/Munch (RCA)

I gotta put in a fourth vote for this one. I didn't even like the work until I heard this version.

[Gurn Blanston]

I gotta put in a fourth vote for this one. I didn't even like the work until I heard this version.

Yup. I don't care for modern performance practice, and even less for "historical" recordings, but I like this disk a lot. Go figure...



----------------
Listening to:
Derek Adlam - Clavichord - Hob 16 29 Sonata in F for Keyboard 1st mvmt - Moderato

[DavidRoss]

"Golden Age" -- Heifetz/Munch
Contemporary big band -- Hahn/Zinman
HIP -- Zehetmair/Brüggen

The one I listen to most often:  Mullova/Gardiner

[Bunny]

Vera Beths, Weil and Tafelmusik was my first hip recording and I'm still fond of it.   I think it's really a gem of a performance.

I also love the young AS Mutter's recording with Karajan and the BP. 

And more recently, I like Christian Tetzlaff's recording with Zinman and the Zurich TO.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The one I listen to most often:  Mullova/Gardiner

Me, too, David. Great minds and all that...

[DavidRoss]

Me, too, David. Great minds and all that...

  And not for the first time, eh, Don?

[Gurn Blanston]

It's funny. I thought that I really didn't have too many recordings of this work so I would just read this conversation and learn from it (still am doing), but these 2 consecutive posts made me think maybe I was wrong:

"Golden Age" -- Heifetz/Munch
Contemporary big band -- Hahn/Zinman
HIP -- Zehetmair/Brüggen

The one I listen to most often:  Mullova/Gardiner

Vera Beths, Weil and Tafelmusik was my first hip recording and I'm still fond of it.   I think it's really a gem of a performance.

I also love the young AS Mutter's recording with Karajan and the BP. 

And more recently, I like Christian Tetzlaff's recording with Zinman and the Zurich TO.

As it turns out, I have, and appreciate, every one of those recordings except for the Mullova/Gardiner. This is one piece of music that stands up to virtually anyone and comes out a winner. Of course, I stick by my rec of Zehetmair/Brüggen, but the variety expressed here just shows that it is hard to be a loser with this piece.