BaL 9.04.11 - Beethoven: Violin Concerto

[richardfinegold]

Not one I know . I do have the Huberman but couldn't quite understand the raving about his playing .

I remember a Kulenkampff Kruetzer Sonata with Solti on the Piano that sounded as though both players were weilding chain saws

[Lawrence]

I only read this last week and was amazed I had not come across this recording before especially as I am a great fan of Giulini, and I love Perlman, of course. But with 18 recordings on my shelves already I had to ask myself did I really want any more - and there are some in your list I don't have, oh dear! I've now acquired the Perlman/Giulini and I am so pleased I did, so thank you very much. I love it. But what about the ones I am missing? - Znaider,Haendel,Milstein,Busch? Do I go for them as well, or shall I just restrict myself to Perlman/Giulini? Being musically uneducated I always read the notes carefully and I am fascinated to read in the Perlman CD notes that it was the custom for the soloist to perform one of his own compositions between the first and second movements which is what Franz Clement, for whom this concerto was written, did. Thank heaven that doesn't happen these days.

Looking at the numerous versions on my shelves today - I wondered if restricted to one which would I choose - despite the claims of all the Menuhin versions, Oistrakh, Haendel, Milstein, Hahn, Adolf Busch, Faust , Steinbacher ,Zukerman,Huggett, Stephanie Chase,Mutter, Francescatti, Huberman, Schneiderhan,Heifetz, Znaider and Kremer on my shelves .

It would still have to be the 1981 Perlman/Giulini - such a wise accompaniment , such a wonderful tone and to me still the most beautiful account of all .

[umslopogaas]

Impossible question, of the twenty recordings on my shelf, which to choose? I've whittled it down to Campoli/Krips, Heifetz/Munch, Ferras/von Karajan, David Oistrakh/Cluytens. I think if it was just one, it would have to be Ferras, though it seems blasphemous to reject either Heifetz or Oistrakh

[BBMmk2]

Schneiderhan Jochum Berlin PO 1961 is one of my absolute favourite recordings .... it has something magical and compelling about it .... i have other versions and i listen to them with interest but this is just enthralling and has not faded in its magic for well over thirty years ...

I hav e that recording too, Jazbo! Magic indeed! :)

[cloughie]

The one I reach for most often is Alfredo Campoli / RPO / Pritchard from 1962.

Surely this is the one most overdue for CD issue!

[mikealdren]

Surely this is the one most overdue for CD issue!

As well as his Bruch, Saint-Saens (the old Ace of Clubs coupling) and his 10" recordings of encores from the 50s. The Bruch was my first ever LP and the Beethoven my 4th (I think)

[Stanfordian]

I hav e that recording too, Jazbo! Magic indeed! :)

Hiya maestro,

Yes, Wolfgang Schneiderhan with Berliner Philharmoniker/Jochum is my first choice in the Beethoven too. For my taste it's perfect in every way. The Perlman/Giulini is admirable too.

[Bryn]

For me it's a toss-up between Zehetmair and Pat Kop, with the latter just getting the edge.

[pastoralguy]

I've never understood why the Campoli version hasn't been released on cd. I wonder if it's a copyright issue. I had it on CfP and remember it being a very fine performance.

[umslopogaas]

I have the Campoli/Krips version on mono LP (LXT 2674) and there is nothing in the sleeve notes to suggest that it is anything other than a normal Decca recording, so I dont think there can be copyright issues. I expect its just a financial matter; there are so many competing versions, a mono-only 1950s version by a violinist now rather forgotten (at least by the younger generations) isnt likely to sell many copies.

I find I have three LP versions by David Oistrakh, conducted by Alexander Gauk, Sixten Ehrling and Andre Cluytens. Only the Cluytens is in stereo. I also have one by Igor Oistrakh, cond. Wilhelm Schuchter. But star of the show must be Milstein and Leinsdorf on Columbia - certainly they command scary prices on ebay. Good thing I bought it twenty years ago, I couldnt afford it today.

[Nick Armstrong]

Not much support for the version by Mlle. Faust, issued with her BAL-'winning' Berg concerto. Is it up there with the greats?

[pastoralguy]

Not much support for the version by Mlle. Faust, issued with her BAL-'winning' Berg concerto. Is it up there with the greats?

Absolutely! It's an outstanding performance, imho.

[cloughie]

I have the Campoli/Krips version on mono LP (LXT 2674) and there is nothing in the sleeve notes to suggest that it is anything other than a normal Decca recording, so I dont think there can be copyright issues. I expect its just a financial matter; there are so many competing versions, a mono-only 1950s version by a violinist now rather forgotten (at least by the younger generations) isnt likely to sell many copies.

I find I have three LP versions by David Oistrakh, conducted by Alexander Gauk, Sixten Ehrling and Andre Cluytens. Only the Cluytens is in stereo. I also have one by Igor Oistrakh, cond. Wilhelm Schuchter. But star of the show must be Milstein and Leinsdorf on Columbia - certainly they command scary prices on ebay. Good thing I bought it twenty years ago, I couldnt afford it today.

The Campoli recording in question is the EMI recording, RPO conducted by Pritchard which started life on an HMV Concert Classics LP. The Decca with Krips has been on CD on more than one occasion.

[umslopogaas]

Thanks Cloughie, this stuff does get very confusing, the number of times these recordings have been issued and reissued is very hard to track. I once resolutely vowed to never buy another HMV Concert Classic LP, only to find I've now paid a lot of money for one which is apparently very collectible.

[Tony Halstead]

I've recently ordered the Kremer version with the Schnitke cadenza. ASMF/Marriner. Odd I don't have this one.

I've only just seen this - much too late, I'm afraid.
Great performance from Kremer et al...I LOVE the Schnittke cadenza!
But for me the whole thing is ruined by a dreadful 'sub-sonic' hum in the sound, especially in the first movement.
I've 'tried everything' - listened on different equipment, on computer speakers, on headphones etc. Maybe the fault is in the actual CD itself?