Search - Johannes Brahms, Max Bruch, Alceo Galliera :: Brahms: Double Concerto; Tragic Overture; Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1

A Great Recording Resurfaces

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't buy too many EMI "Great Recordings of the Century" discs anymore as I own the majority of the reissued performances via earlier CD incarnations -- who can afford to buy the latest remastered versions of everything anyway?! However, I made an exception with this title because, to the best of my knowledge, two of the selections here are receiving their debut on CD. First let's discuss the brilliant Brahms Double Concerto which has been previously available, most recently on a now out-of-print EMI "Double Forte" two-fer. For years EMI has pushed the Brahms Double featuring Oistrakh paired with Rostropovich and led by Szell, usually partnering it on CD with what is arguably the single best Beethoven Triple Concerto, conducted by Karajan with Richter joining the aforementioned soloists. But this earlier account of the Double (from 1956 vs. 1969), with Pierre Fournier on cello and Alceo Galliera conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra, has a certain charm, and definitely features Oistrakh closer to the peak of his powers. Regardless, if one has to rank recordings, they both reside comfortably in my top 5, along with those by Bruno Walter (also featuring Fournier on cello), Fricsay and Kletzki (see my reviews). But my real reason for getting this CD was to finally obtain Oistrakh's mono performance of the first Bruch Violin Concerto, which even Testament had failed to license from EMI. Needless to say I was thoroughly impressed after an initial listening, but I will have to savor it more before categorizing it here on the pages of Amazon. Finally, the inclusion of Galliera's Brahms Tragic Overture (the original pairing for the Double on vinyl) is a nice touch. In all, this is another CD worthy of its series namesake."

EMI Cheating: brahms double concerto is a MONO recording. Wh

Judy Spotheim | Belgium, Europe | 03/10/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I would assume that potential buyers would sink their teeth into this item - but beware, beware:

The Brahms double concerto is constructed out of two recordings (and two different recording location).

First and second movements are in MONO while the third movement is in glorious stereo.

However, this all is misleading because no one in his right mind will name it a stereo recording and they do not specify that. They hint that the recording was made in 1956 (no stereo yet...so why call it a stereo?)

I have this very same oeuvre on a Pathe-Marconi 10-inch stereo and was hoping to get a better transfer of it so I ordered this Duo-CD item.

Big, big disappointment: The sound is true MONO except for the third movement.

Save your money and go somewhere else for a soul satisfying encounter. Not this one EMI, not this one."