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Post by julesd68 on Aug 16, 2014 23:55:46 GMT
I have a particular penchant for Violin Concertos, which is kind of surprising given how poorly I used to play as a youngster!
I would be interested to know what your favourite three would be, and what recordings you enjoy … Here are mine.
Tchaikovsky - Alfredo Campoli - The London Symphony Orchestra - Ataulfo Argenta - SPA183 (re-issue of obscenely expensive SXL2029)
Campoli takes a bit of a 'liberty' with a rather idiosyncratic approach to the opening but after that, this is sheer heaven for me. Just a wonderfully sweet tone, played with such elegance and poise. The recording is of demonstration quality.
Sibelius - David Oistrakh - Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra - Gennady Rozhdestvensky - ASD2407
Melodiya recordings can be a bit hit and miss but this one is a big hit with me. Oistrakh is in imperious form for this reading and really manages to extract every ounce of atmosphere out of the darker moments of this great work. I never tire of hearing this concerto on lp or in a concert hall.
Brahms - Herman Krebbers - Bernard Haitink - Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam - Philips Universo 6580086
From the way that a young Krebbers positively tears into the opening bars of this work, you know he means business. Played with a fierce commitment, with superb orchestral back-up and a top notch recording, I often use this as a 'test lp' when evaluating kit.
Over to you!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 5:50:14 GMT
My favourite is Bach Concerto for 2 violins and Orchestra BWV1043 - Francescatti/Pasquier and the Festival Strings Lucerne/Baumgartner on DG 25302425 Good crisp recording and although the tempo is a bit slow for me (I like my baroque to be jazz) the wonderful melodies are bought to the fore. I can't argue with: Brahms - Herman Krebbers - Bernard Haitink - Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam - Philips Universo 6580086 Simply wonderful. Loved it the first time I heard it and have played it to death since. More Bach from the same LP: Concerto for Violin and orchestra in A minor BWV1041. Not a huge 'classical' music fan so although I do have quite a few records, they rarely get played these days. Bach on the other hand is etched into all my neighbour's consciousnesssssssssss. (Tolkein fan too  |
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Post by John on Aug 17, 2014 6:09:39 GMT
I love Sibelius Violin Concerto it has some great melodies on it and remember I used to be able to play a few of its themes on guitar which was great fun.
I really like Philip Glass Violin Concerto Martin got me into it I love the way it builds and attacks
My favorite violin piece has to be Pablo Sarasate Zigeunerweisen
This is fantastic version only beaten by Heifetz Really nails the tone
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Post by MartinT on Aug 17, 2014 6:13:49 GMT
For me, as well as the Beethoven and Bruch, it's the Philip Glass Concerto No. 1. I love the constant motion, circularity and looping of his music and the part for violin is written very well and sounds technically fiendish.
My favourite performance in recording is the Gidon Kremer with von Dohnanyi & VPO on DG.
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Post by Paul Barker on Aug 17, 2014 8:06:27 GMT
Like the link John put up.
I love the violin but haven't the expertise to suggest music.
I have a couple of lp's I quite like. Kennedy four Seasons I suppose everyone has. Menuhin playing Elgar, pictured with Elgar on the cover.
Also (marginally off topic but relevant off to the side) have a few different LP's of Menuhin and Grapelli playing together, but only like the ones which aren't Jazz. I like Jazz but too much of one instrument type be it human voice Flute clarinet or Violin when the genre is Jazz is not my cup of tea.
But from the links given I have a whole new world to explore.
violin is a difficult instrument to reproduce well enough on our artificial chains from the cut record (or whatever modern recording method you are about) to the ear. Most systems I hear sacrifice the violin and are content with other types of music sounding good (to the owner, if no-one else). Not saying I have it, but I have it in a place where the violin is enjoyable not just bearable (to me, if no-one else).
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Post by Tim on Aug 17, 2014 12:34:02 GMT
Bruch & Sibelius for me. I really like the 1959 Heifetz Sibelius and for Bruch probably Perlman, but there are a lot of good Bruch recordings out there and a lot of differing opinions.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 13:01:19 GMT
Bruch & Sibelius for me. I really like the 1959 Heifetz Sibelius and for Bruch probably Perlman, but there are a lot of good Bruch recordings out there and a lot of differing opinions. And the third one is??  |
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Post by Tim on Aug 17, 2014 15:07:37 GMT
And the third one is?? Ah, three is it then? Well I guess it must be Brahms, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Guilini and Itzak Perlman again, I think I like it over others because of the slow pace, more moody and emotional which is how I tend to prefer most all of my music - interesting actually to ponder this? I was referring to the Bruch Concerto No. 1 as well  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 15:16:09 GMT
And the third one is?? Ah, three is it then? Well I guess it must be Brahms, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Guilini and Itzak Perlman again, I think I like it over others because of the slow pace, more moody and emotional which is how I tend to prefer most all of my music - interesting actually to ponder this? I was referring to the Bruch Concerto No. 1 as well Yup, my favourites all seem to be uptempo and a bit zazzy. Can't stand this emotional stuff, Ronnie complains about the wet collars and snot on the sleeves  |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2014 21:15:34 GMT
Thanks guys - there's a few for me to check out there ...
I'm also a huge fan of the Bruch. I'd probably make it my fourth favourite, and adore the Kyung-Wha Chung recording. After that I'd say it's the Dvorak (Perlman) and Saint-Saens 3 (Kyung-Wha Chung).
As Tim intimated, most people talk about 'the' Bruch, as though he didn't compose another violin concerto. But for those who didn't know, there are two more! They are just very rarely performed or broadcast ...
Itzhak Perlman made a very highly rated recording indeed of number 2, and here it is. Certainly very fine playing, the music is a bit of a 'slow burner', it has its charms ... Here's the first movement - see what you think.
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Post by Slinger on Aug 19, 2014 1:20:28 GMT
For me, as well as the Beethoven and Bruch, it's the Philip Glass Concerto No. 1. I love the constant motion, circularity and looping of his music and the part for violin is written very well and sounds technically fiendish.
My favourite performance in recording is the Gidon Kremer with von Dohnanyi & VPO on DG. Whilst I agree that the Glass concerto is a bit special, I have to say that the Schnittke piece on that recording just gives me a headache. I see very little mention of English classical composers so far, so I'll toss in Elgar's Violin Concerto (in B min) and finish off with a bit of Russian - Taneiev's (or Taneyev's) "Concert Suite" for violin and orchestra (op. 28). |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 19, 2014 16:32:16 GMT
I listened to Bruch's 3rd concerto last night on YouTube and for me it's a wonderful discovery. It really has great depth to it and some memorable themes; it deserves to find a greater audience but this seems unlikely - I would love to hear it performed live, but bachtrack.com tells me that there isn't a single performance scheduled for either the 2nd or 3rd - a real shame in my opinion ...
I'm now looking for a vinyl recording and so far have only found one by Salvatore Accardo on Philips in 1979 - a violinist I am not familiar with but will investigate further.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 19:06:12 GMT
Probably should be on 'What are you listening to ' but this is a version of the Mendelssohn/Bruch that is new to me. On French Decca 14.017 Violinist Jean-Pierre Wallez and the Grand Orchestra Radio Tele Luxembourg. Sound was a bit strange but having looked at the label, I wonder if the phasiness was because its 'Stereo Quadrophonic'. Not sure how it can be both!!!   |
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Post by jammy on Aug 19, 2014 20:00:41 GMT
Im sorry i just dont like the Violin.
I have tried, tried and thrice tried but i just dont get it.
I do like the Fiddle however and enjoy "The Devil went down to Georgia" by "The Charlie Daniels Band"
Is there any hope for me....?
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 19, 2014 20:58:50 GMT
I wasn't interested for years either, especially after having to take violin lessons and hating it ...
Just clicked with me again for some reason ... think it was the Tchaikovsky which got me back into it. It just has the one of the most amazing intros in classical music for me ... turn it up very loud for full effect.
Does this do anything for you?
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Post by mightyant on Sept 7, 2014 16:55:23 GMT
Rock on Tchaiko, baby.
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Post by pinkie on Sept 8, 2014 6:54:52 GMT
I love violin concertos! As jules68 knows I love the Bach double violin by the oistrach father and son. A couple of others without a mention yet are the stravinsky and Walton concertos. I have both on a decca record with kyung wha chung as soloist. She and Walton hit it off, and it comes through in the playing |
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 25, 2014 18:37:39 GMT
Having heard the Beethoven Violin Concerto live for the first time last week I must say how much this work is growing on me; it was thoroughly enjoyable, played with much panache by Viktoria Mullova.
Need to source a good vinyl recording and am tempted to go for Krebbers again - does anyone have any other vinyl versions they can recommend?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 25, 2014 19:23:43 GMT
Heh, heh, Beethoven eh? I won't remind you of what you said to me about him a couple of years ago
I have a soft spot for the Perlman/Giulini/Philharmonia on EMI if you can find it.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 28, 2014 17:44:53 GMT
Yeah I know but it's just the Violin Concerto and the Pastoral symphony that I've got any time for. I will try to keep an open mind but don't think I'll be signing up for the Beethoven fan club so to speak...
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