The Greatest Violinist of the 20th Century Was...

[m_gigena]

It's true that Heifetz's recording career began in USA
in 1917, but he had made some in Russia in 1911,Only
6 short pieces found until now (but it can be more,
unknown). Doremi has published it.

And that includes an unbelievable 1914 Ronde des Lutins. Doesn't it?

[carlos]

No, my amigo.Sorry but esa pieza is not on that disco.
Where did you encontraste that recording of 1914?
(What about mi "spanenglish"?) 

[Harry Collier]

And that includes an unbelievable 1914 Ronde des Lutins. Doesn't it?

I think the earliest Heifetz  Ronde des Lutins was 1917. But I'd like to be proved wrong.

[Harry Collier]

AND for being first to mention Kreisler, who certainly deserves a place high in the pantheon. When I first saw this thread the other day, I found it astonishing that no one had yet named that worthy violinist who, like his occasional sonata partner Rachmaninoff, left the world dramatically richer in repertoire and established with his skills a high bar for all subsequent challengers to clear.

Heifetz was famous for his refusal to comment on his fellow violinists. But in his house he always kept a photo of ... Kreisler. We can also reflect on David Oistrakh's comment: "there are violinists, there are very good violinists .. and then there is Heifetz!"

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Hey you guys, what about Andre Rieu? ? ?   

[Harry Collier]

Hey you guys, what about Andre Rieu? ? ?   

Completely outclassed by Vanessa Mae.

[m_gigena]

No, my amigo.Sorry but esa pieza is not on that disco.
Where did you encontraste that recording of 1914?
(What about mi "spanenglish"?) 

I think the earliest Heifetz  Ronde des Lutins was 1917. But I'd like to be proved wrong.

You are right, I confused violinists and dates. 

[carlos]

Maybe tu was pensando on Kubelik?

[Harry Collier]

Maybe tu was pensando on Kubelik?

1903, 1904 and 1905, Carlos. And none of them much good, in my humble opinion.

[Maciek]

This thread reminded me. I took this pic of the building which used to house the music school that Heifetz went to especially for you guys on GMG and never got around to posting it:






(But my vote still goes to Wanda Wilkomirska.)

[BachQ]

(But my vote still goes to Wanda Wilkomirska.)

((Wanda from Warsaw))

(((we really need to add her to the poll)))

[PerfectWagnerite]

Please, is there any doubt that it is Hilary Hahn.

[Maciek]

((Wanda from Warsaw))

(((we really need to add her to the poll)))

a) Heifetz
b) NOT Heifetz
c) Wanda from Warsaw

Please, is there any doubt that it is Hilary Hahn.

Let's leave her to the 21st...

[Xenophanes]

Thomson was, I think, criticising Heifetz's musicianship, not his violin playing. The reason I don't put Heifetz's unaccompanied Bach at the top of my listening list is because, like Thomson in his review, I find I am seduced by Heifetz' playing rather than by the music he is playing. To my mind, Heifetz was easily the greatest violinist of the twentieth century. However, his interpretations are open to more controversy.

I think there is no question but that Heifetz was the greatest violinist, but he is not my favorite, which is Francescatti, but really, it varies with the work and the recording or performance I've heard and some of my favorite recordings are by other violinists.

There is a very nice CD of Double Concertos played by Heifetz with Friedman, Primrose, and Piatigorsky.

http://www.amazon.com/Heifetz-Double-Concertos-Gregor-Piatigorsky/dp/B00003OP6J/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7564307-3333512?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1194232239&sr=1-1

[MichaelRabin]

Depends on the repertoire:-
1) Vieuxtemps VC 5, Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Korngold VC - It is Jascha Heifetz
2) St Saens Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso & Paganini VC 1- It is Michael Rabin
3) Tchaikovsky - VC - It is Leonid Kogan
4) Bach Solo Sonata & Partita - It is Arthur Grumiaux
5) Mendelssohn VC - It is Alfredo Campoli

[carlos]

Hallo Rabin-fan. Glad to have you here. We can discuss violinists and
violin music.

[ragman1970]

Yes, Heifetz's tone was subtle. He was the master of an incredible palette of tonal colouring -- more than any other violinist. Too many violinists since have cultivated a smooth, rich tone without Heifetz's colouring genius.

Heifetz didn't need a "ongoing" vibrato! This is a main difference

[MichaelRabin]

Hallo Rabin-fan. Glad to have you here. We can discuss violinists and
violin music.

Hi Carlos, My PC went down and was having trouble with my previous log-in.
Lee

[Harry Collier]

Depends on the repertoire:-
1) Vieuxtemps VC 5, Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Korngold VC - It is Jascha Heifetz
2) St Saens Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso & Paganini VC 1- It is Michael Rabin
3) Tchaikovsky - VC - It is Leonid Kogan
4) Bach Solo Sonata & Partita - It is Arthur Grumiaux
5) Mendelssohn VC - It is Alfredo Campoli

Not too controversial a selection -- if you put Milstein instead of Grumiaux, and Kogan for the Paganini, and Heifetz for the Saint-Saens -- though I do boggle at the choice of old Alfredo. A technically impeccable violinist, with a lovely, uniform, golden sound; but also probably the world's most boring violinist. Even a 25 minute flute solo sounds highly coloured compared with Alfredo. The worst recital I ever attended was Campoli playing unaccompanied Bach -- so slowly, and so beautifully (he was standing in for Menuhin).

[MichaelRabin]

Well, Harry - I have the versions you mention but for my own reasons - I chose my versions as I did. The Milstein S&P - do you prefer the EMI or DG?

I have never really found out which are your top 5 versions of Mendelssohn VC? Perhaps you can share who your top violinist is for Mendelssohn's VC - nominate 2 versions irrespective of sound (i.e. fantastic playing, interp) and also 3 versions that are more recent (better sound and excellent playing). Do enlighten us, Harry.