BaL 9.04.11 - Beethoven: Violin Concerto

[Petrushka]

I'm a big fan of the Kreisler cadenza as well. It just seems so right!

I retain a particular fondness for the Krebbers/Haitink disc and glad that Ferney has mentioned the Erich Röhn/Furtwangler live recording, in a performance given in 1944 just before the destruction of the Alte Philharmonie.

For a good modern recording I like Isabelle Faust/Abbado.

[carol_fodor]

Here is a 'sleeper' or a 'hidden treasure' recording:
Richard Tognetti with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in a 'live' recording on ABC 'classics'. HIP; period instruments etc.
MUCH better than Steph Chase/ Hanover Band; M Huggett / OAE etc.

[LeMartinPecheur]

When I first got to know this work in the early 70s (my first recording was the above-mentioned Schneiderhahn) I was puzzled why it seemed to start with 2 slow movements

I'm still looking for a wonderful-all-through performance with a truly allegro 1st mov't (though of course non troppo). So far, Milstein (EMI) comes closest.

[verismissimo]

Here is a 'sleeper' or a 'hidden treasure' recording:
Richard Tognetti with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in a 'live' recording on ABC 'classics'. HIP; period instruments etc.
MUCH better than Steph Chase/ Hanover Band; M Huggett / OAE etc.

Carol, don't think ACO is really an HIP band. Modern instruments.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It has to be Oistrakh for me. The first time I ever heard the work was live at the King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, with Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra with David Oistrakh as soloist - 1961.

[HighlandDougie]

Two further - and I think very fine - performances to add to the mix: Josef Suk (New Philharmonia/Sir Adrian Boult) and Hermann Krebbers (Concertgebouw/Bernard Haitink). The former (as an LP) was for some time my 'go-to' performance if I wanted to listen to this work - and the latter a great find when it appeared on CD. Its inclusion in the recent 'Haitink Philips Years' box has reminded of how good it is (cadenzas by Kreisler). I have the Suk on CD and still listen regularly to it. Schneiderhan is in the BPO Centenary Edition - ditto on being reminded of the excellence and character of the performance - and I wouldn't want to be without Zehetmair or Faust or Perlman. I was brought up with Campoli (RPO/Pritchard) which made me love the concerto but I have no idea if the performance is any good as it must be almost 50 years since I've heard it. Impossible to choose only one version, really.

[Oliver]

That's easy; Grumiaux/Davis.

[Dave2002]

CMM http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/ has Kreisler, Heifitz, Menuhin and Oistrakh for 1 Euro each, plus Heifitz in the sonatas for 2 Euros. Campoli (msg 24) should be good, and I think is still available. There are Youtubes of Campoli.

[amateur51]

Two further - and I think very fine - performances to add to the mix: Josef Suk (New Philharmonia/Sir Adrian Boult) and Hermann Krebbers (Concertgebouw/Bernard Haitink). The former (as an LP) was for some time my 'go-to' performance if I wanted to listen to this work - and the latter a great find when it appeared on CD. Its inclusion in the recent 'Haitink Philips Years' box has reminded of how good it is (cadenzas by Kreisler). I have the Suk on CD and still listen regularly to it. Schneiderhan is in the BPO Centenary Edition - ditto on being reminded of the excellence and character of the performance - and I wouldn't want to be without Zehetmair or Faust or Perlman. I was brought up with Campoli (RPO/Pritchard) which made me love the concerto but I have no idea if the performance is any good as it must be almost 50 years since I've heard it. Impossible to choose only one version, really.

I completely agree about Hermann Krebbers in Beethoven violin concerto HD, and indeed in Brahms violin concerto with the same forces.

I had and loved both on LP but hadn't realised they'd surfaced on CD.

[amateur51]

It has to be Oistrakh for me. The first time I ever heard the work was live at the King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, with Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra with David Oistrakh as soloist - 1961.

Wow!

[carol_fodor]

Carol, don't think ACO is really an HIP band. Modern instruments.

Hmm, I think I do know the sound of gut strings, boxwood oboes and clarinets, calf-head timpani etc, not to mention the lower 'classical pitch' of A430.

The soloist writes an essay in the CD liner notes, entitled:

"The Australian Chamber Orchestra on Period Instruments"

in which he mentions the various period instruments played, including some original old strings and modern reproductions of woodwind and brass.

[Andrew Preview]

Difficult this. Beethoven's concerto is one of those works where I've struggled to find a thoroughly satisfying performance. I love the piece, but I've never really heard it the way I want it to sound. I live in hope!

[Barbirollians]

Difficult this. Beethoven's concerto is one of those works where I've struggled to find a thoroughly satisfying performance. I love the piece, but I've never really heard it the way I want it to sound. I live in hope!

Well I recommend Perlman/Giulini then !

[verismissimo]

Hmm, I think I do know the sound of gut strings, boxwood oboes and clarinets, calf-head timpani etc, not to mention the lower 'classical pitch' of A430.

The soloist writes an essay in the CD liner notes, entitled:

"The Australian Chamber Orchestra on Period Instruments"

in which he mentions the various period instruments played, including some original old strings and modern reproductions of woodwind and brass.

Oops. Sorry, Carol. Quite wrong.

[verismissimo]

Oops. Sorry, Carol. Quite wrong.

I've always thought of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra as the Aussie flagbearer for "period instruments" and the ACO as playing on "modern" ones. I wonder if you know, Carol, when they made the switch?