BaL 4.11.23 - Bach: Violin Concerto no. 1 in A minor

[gurnemanz]

It seems Valetti and Faust are NLA.

Surprising. Chandos are offering Valetti as download, https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/AJ%200137

I played some recordings yesterday:
Elizabeth Wallfisch, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,
Gidon Kremer, Academy of St Martin (v. fast first movement)
Valetti, Café Zimmermann
Alice Harnoncourt, Niklaus H and Concentus Musicus Wien
Oistrakh, Barshai, Moscow Chamber Orch

Enjoyed them all. Valetti, Café Zimmermann was the definite favourite. I have the excellent 6 CD 'Concerts avec plusieurs instruments' Bach compilation on Alpha.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've added a large number of recordings to the original sparse list. I was surprisingly busy last week, so I published the incomplete list as being better than nothing.

[Bryn]

Surprising. Chandos are offering Valetti as download, https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/AJ%200137

I played some recordings yesterday:
Elizabeth Wallfisch, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,
Gidon Kremer, Academy of St Martin (v. fast first movement)
Valetti, Café Zimmermann
Alice Harnoncourt, Niklaus H and Concentus Musicus Wien
Oistrakh, Barshai, Moscow Chamber Orch

Enjoyed them all. Valetti, Café Zimmermann was the definite favourite. I have the excellent 6 CD 'Concerts avec plusieurs instruments' Bach compilation on Alpha.

I'll drink to that, though I am fairly eager to get shot of my 6-CD set. (I 'upgraded' to the later 16-CD Cafe Zimmermann boxed set.) I must check the going price, used, on Amazon, etc.

[mikealdren]

I've added a large number of recordings to the original sparse list. I was surprisingly busy last week, so I published the incomplete list as being better than nothing.

Thanks Alpie, my post wasn't meant to be a dig at your excellent work, I was genuinely surprised at how few versions there were.

[Maclintick]

Faust/AAM Berlin (HM hi-res download) & Oistrakh/Wiener Symphoniker (DG Originals)

[Ein Heldenleben]

So far Heifetz makes all the other fiddlers sound a tad boring . Not just the extraordinary tone but the attack he puts into the notes.

[Retune]

E major, yes it was, 2019 and the chosen version was Rachel Podger with, according to the thread on hear, 4 other recommended recordings:

Rachel Podger again today, and from the same disc, a rare double BaL selection.

[pastoralguy]

So far Heifetz makes all the other fiddlers sound a tad boring . Not just the extraordinary tone but the attack he puts into the notes.

I listened to this BaL last nite and quite agree that Mr. Heifetz’s recording was marvellous. I did wonder if that recording would ‘win’.

[Barbirollians]

I only caught the end of the BAL and the Podger did sound splendid . In Gramophone a few years back a recording by Shunske Sato was strongly recommended and I liked it very much and I also have a soft spot for Ibramigova. Also good are Mutter's later recordings with the Trondhem soloists ( her ECO recordings are gorgeous but rather like her Four Seasons with Karajan rather old fashioned .

Any mention of Menuhin - his 1930s and 1960s recordings are other favourites of mine.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I only caught the end of the BAL and the Podger did sound splendid . In Gramophone a few years back a recording by Shunske Sato was strongly recommended and I liked it very much and I also have a soft spot for Ibramigova. Also good are Mutter's later recordings with the Trondhem soloists ( her ECO recordings are gorgeous but rather like her Four Seasons with Karajan rather old fashioned .

Any mention of Menuhin - his 1930s and 1960s recordings are other favourites of mine.

Yes an early recording was played . The orchestra (particularly the basses ) was criticised for over heavy playing. Little comment on Menuhin - I think he was really rather good.

[Barbirollians]

Yes an early recording was played . The orchestra (particularly the basses ) was criticised for over heavy playing. Little comment on Menuhin - I think he was really rather good.

I recall similar criticism elsewhere of Enescu's conducting whilst when Monteux took over for their recording of the Double Concerto things did improve. The orchestra did not put me off Menuhin's ethereally beautiful performance of the solo part.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I recall similar criticism elsewhere of Enescu's conducting whilst when Monteux took over for their recording of the Double Concerto things did improve. The orchestra did not put me off Menuhin's ethereally beautiful performance of the solo part.

Of all the excerpts played the only two that stuck in my mind were Heifetz and Menuhin. Hardly surprising really ..

[Beresford]

Excellent Review. Simon Heighes pointed out what he preferred, and why, and I had to agree with him, because his analysis always seemed correct and relevant. I enjoyed almost all the performances, even the cliches and idiosyncrasies, as they seem nowadays, of Menuhin and Heifitz - ok if you value unbridled excitement more than anything else.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Excellent Review. Simon Heighes pointed out what he preferred, and why, and I had to agree with him, because his analysis always seemed correct and relevant. I enjoyed almost all the performances, even the cliches and idiosyncrasies, as they seem nowadays, of Menuhin and Heifitz - ok if you value unbridled excitement more than anything else.

Do you know I didn’t hear anything either cliched or idiosyncratic in either Heifetz or Menuhin ? What I did hear were master musicians who know how to shape a phrase. As for “unbridled excitement “ when it comes to music I’m all for it. Most Bach playing these days is a tad boring tbh.

[Nick Armstrong]

I listened to this BaL last nite and quite agree that Mr. Heifetz’s recording was marvellous. I did wonder if that recording would ‘win’.

Yes it was strange, given the reviewer’s earlier comments, that without explanation it failed to make it to the final short shortlist.