Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1

[Scion7]

Also, the vinyl set from the Seventies has an authentic hand-drawing of Paganini from the period - the CD set's cover artwork is dizzily  pretentious.

[Scion7]

Another one that I have for an example of Mutter-the-young-lioness.   Has a nice BPO sound.

 

... and since it's Mutter, you can find it in-print on CD in a couple of different packagings.

[aligreto]

Thank you for that. I have been looking at that one. Do you like her performance of the work?

[Scion7]

Yes, I prefer her in the younger days.

BUT - while I like that one, the Heifetz is an astounding performance!  It's been remastered for that deluxe-packaged issue.  I'm adding post-posting that the conductor/orchestra's job on this recording is superb, too.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MjGpsy_vCU

[aligreto]

OK, a stronger recommendation for the Heifitz. I also like that coupling with the Vieuxtemps. Thank you.

[Que]

Yes, I prefer her in the younger days.

BUT - while I like that one, the Heifetz is an astounding performance!  It's been remastered for that deluxe-packaged issue.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MjGpsy_vCU

OK, a stronger recommendation for the Heifetz. I also like that coupling with the Vieuxtemps. Thank you.

If those are the recordings of the Scottish Fantasy and the Vieuxtemps no. 5 from the late 40s (and not tlater remakes), they make that disc worthwhile just by themsleves. Awesome stuff....
But the Bruch is recorded in the 60s , by which time Heifetz' style had "hardened" - both tonally and emotionally. For me the interpretation is too rigid and ungiving.

Q

PS I just realize that the recording dates are on the back cover in Brian's post. The Scottisch Fantasy and the Vieuxtemps are indeed remakes. Frankly, I haven't heard those - they might still be good.

[aligreto]

If those are the recordings of the Scottish Fantasy and the Vieuxtemps no. 5 from the late 40s (and not tlater remakes), they make that disc worthwhile just by themsleves. Awesome stuff....
But the Bruch is recorded in the 60s , by which time Heifetz' style had "hardened" - both tonally and emotionally. For me the interpretation is too rigid and ungiving.

Q

PS I just realize that the recording dates are on the back cover in Brian's post. The Scottisch Fantasy and the Vieuxtemps are indeed remakes. Frankly, I haven't heard those - they might still be good.

OK, so do you know if there recordings available from the late 40s? Are they one of the LP recording shown earlier perhaps?

[Drasko]

OK, so do you know if there recordings available from the late 40s? Are they one of the LP recording shown earlier perhaps?

[aligreto]

Thank you very much for those 

[Scion7]

Totally disagree about the Heifetz - sonically, you'll like the Living Presence much more, and the technique is still flawless - that's one of the most celebrated Classical recordings ever.  Que didn't like Accardo, either, so . . .

[Que]

Totally disagree about the Heifetz - sonically, you'll like the Living Presence much more, and the technique is still flawless - that's one of the most celebrated Classical recordings ever.  Que didn't like Accardo, either, so . . .

So? Feel free to dismiss my admittedly strong opinions...
Indeed in later years Heifetz technique (still) was technically flawless, but his style changed. And that is a matter of taste. The later Bruch concerto recording is a very fine performance with an attractive coupling and great sonics, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from buying and enjoying it. But ultimately it just doesn't have quite the "feel" I'm looking for in this music. (Does it have that yearning, gentil nostalgic feel?) Generally I prefer Heifetz' earlier recordings from before his style "stiffened", but there are always exceptions to the rule, like the later Sibelius recording.

I just don't like Salvatore Accardo, at all. Complete sets (always tempting) or not. I find the Bruch set quite unappealing: I find his tone abrasive, his playing mainly focused on the pyrotechnics.
That latter aspect of Accardo's style befits Paganini admittedly much, much better.... Even then I would prefer Micheal Rabin take on Paganini although, apart from the Caprices, he unfortunately only recorded the 1st concerto (usually coupled with a gorgeous rendition of Wieniawski no. 2). Fortunately not having having all Paganini concertos on the shelve is not a great musical loss to me... It is the kind of music in which the performer has to create/add the significant musical interest....

Q

PS I forgot to mention that I think the Suk/Ancerk is a pretty, lyrical performance.
And I'm curious about Leonid Kogan, that Drasko just posted!  But then again: how many Bruch no. 1 recordings do I need?

[aligreto]

Totally disagree about the Heifetz - sonically, you'll like the Living Presence much more, and the technique is still flawless - that's one of the most celebrated Classical recordings ever.  Que didn't like Accardo, either, so . . .

Thank you Scion7; you are obviously very keen on the  Living Presence recording and I can definitely understand that and see where you are coming from.

[aligreto]

Indeed in later years Heifetz technique (still) was technically flawless, but his style changed. And that is a matter of taste. The later Bruch concerto recording is a very fine performance with an attractive coupling and great sonics, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from buying and enjoying it. But ultimately it just doesn't have quite the "feel" I'm looking for in this music. (Does it have that yearning, gentil nostalgic feel?) Generally I prefer Heifetz' earlier recordings from before his style "stiffened", but there are always exceptions to the rule, like the later Sibelius recording.


Q

PS I forgot to mention that I think the Suk/Ancerk is a pretty, lyrical performance.
And I'm curious about Leonid Kogan, that Drasko just posted!  But then again: how many Bruch no. 1 recordings do I need?

Que, is the older version that you have the one above that Drasko posted or is it included in one of those big box sets?
I do not mind owning a number of versions of this work as I really like it a lot but I just want to be clear here and not double up on the same version.

[Drasko]

And I'm curious about Leonid Kogan, that Drasko just posted! 

A truly great performance, in fine mid 70s analog sound. And if you are still in Japan you're just in luck. The only proper CD incarnation is on Denon:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/COCO-73297

preview:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Jv2xFVEZ0hk https://www.youtube.com/v/DAjutYFbxM0

https://www.youtube.com/v/c1IxTR8g8v0

[Que]

Que, is the older version that you have the one above that Drasko posted or is it included in one of those big box sets?
I do not mind owning a number of versions of this work as I really like it a lot but I just want to be clear here and not double up on the same version.

Just a reminder that my primary recommendation is Milstein, not Heifetz.  I feel more affinity from Heifetz with the Scottish Fantasy.
That being said, my impresions of Heifetz 1st recording with Sargent in 1951 do fall in line with my general remarks on the development of Heifetz' style. The '51is nicer, more lyrical and with a more generous tone.The Naxos issue Drasko posted does contain that recording. I have volumes from the first issue of the Heifetz Edition by RCA (probably available again used now the Editon has been reissued). 

Q

[Que]

A truly great performance, in fine mid 70s analog sound. And if you are still in Japan you're just in luck. The only proper CD incarnation is on Denon:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/COCO-73297

Thanks! Off to see some temples in Kyoto today, but will listen to the samples tonight.
I might be able to pick it up in Tokyo before I leave....

Q

[André]

My opinion may be biased but I urgently recommend the Ida Handel recordings of the g minor concerto. There is one on Testament and you can hear before buying by sampling on You Tube (a 1985 performance). I've been spoiled forever by a live performance in Montréal ca. 1975. I can still picture her and hear her wonderful, powerful tones.

[Que]

A truly great performance, in fine mid 70s analog sound. And if you are still in Japan you're just in luck. The only proper CD incarnation is on Denon:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/COCO-73297

preview:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Jv2xFVEZ0hk https://www.youtube.com/v/DAjutYFbxM0 https://www.youtube.com/v/c1IxTR8g8v0

OK, I have listened through the entire concerto! Which was a pleasure and interesting, because Kogan is a great violinist.

Can I ask you how Lorin Maazel's role plays into your judgement of this recording? Because to me personally the Berliner Philharmoniker (?) sounds colossal and way too slow - particularly in the first and second movement. But even the third movement, that is supposed to sound rapturous from start to finish, is rather measured at times. When Kogan tries to pick up speed (several times), Maazel is always one step behind...
Kogan digs deep into the strings, which is fine, but his approach to the music is a rather solemn one, at times even bleak... Actually something I would have expected from him.

All in all, I prefer my Bruch a bit lighter and brighter, not overly sentimental, but more swift, playful and lyrical.

Just my two cents...with all due respect to your favourite.

Q

[aligreto]

Just a reminder that my primary recommendation is Milstein, not Heifetz.  I feel more affinity from Heifetz with the Scottish Fantasy.
That being said, my impresions of Heifetz 1st recording with Sargent in 1951 do fall in line with my general remarks on the development of Heifetz' style. The '51is nicer, more lyrical and with a more generous tone.The Naxos issue Drasko posted does contain that recording. I have volumes from the first issue of the Heifetz Edition by RCA (probably available again used now the Editon has been reissued). 

Q

Thank you for that Que.
No, I did not forget about your Milstein recommendation but was merely getting a bit confused with all of the different Heifitz recommendations and just wanted clarification. 

[aligreto]

My opinion may be biased but I urgently recommend the Ida Handel recordings of the g minor concerto. There is one on Testament and you can hear before buying by sampling on You Tube (a 1985 performance). I've been spoiled forever by a live performance in Montréal ca. 1975. I can still picture her and hear her wonderful, powerful tones.

Thank you for that André. I do like any Ida Handel performances that I have heard. I will check out You Tube over the weekend.