Search - Max Bruch, Karl Masur, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra :: Bruch: Complete Violin Concertos / Scottish Fantasy

Beauty Violinified

Nick | Munich, Germany | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It may well be that you've heard the adagio from Bruch's second concerto and thought it to be a wonderfully romantic piece, and you would be right. However it is, as far as Max Bruch's music is concerned, just the beginning. The adagio appassionata has a beautiful melody that will stay in your head all day. The wonderful solo part is backed by a strong and emotional performance from the orchestra and the piece is allowed to open at just the right pace. The romance,also on the second cd, continues the melodic trends that make Bruch one of the more under appreciated composers available. His love for the romantic melodies that make his music so beautiful is often seen by critics as a lack of complexity in the pieces but must, by genuine music lovers, be seen as something for which we should be grateful. In memorandum is yet another piece to testify to this. Both the virtually unknown concertos are also superb successes-very tuneful and cause the kind of stirring often felt when listening to Beethoven. This set should be in everybodies collection, for it takes a hard soul not to enjoy them. If, like me you enjoy a moment alone with your thoughts, to close you're eyes and wonder wistfully at the pleasures of life, then this cd will warm your heart."

The Grossly Underrated Concerto #3 played with extreme color

Scott68 | Columbus, Ohio United States | 12/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd was chosen for the GROSSLY overlooked Concerto No 3, I couldn't believe this piece is not played more often! Do you wish you could find a new and fresh concerto and are sick of listening to or playing the standard ones over and over? Well this is the CD you want for sure then! Bruch was like most composers: a hopeless romantic. There are so many pieces of unquestionable power and beauty he has written. All of the concertos by Bruch are soothing and relaxing and make for a perfect atmosphere of beauty and romance. It is well known about Mr. Accardo's collection of great violins and his ability to change from a Strad to a Guarneri. Here he presents an unbelievable display of awesome tone from his violin, a lot better than the other recordings I have heard by him. His vibrato is lush and phrasing is wonderful here. Many people put Accardo's abilities down, based on his performances of Paganini or Haydn concertos. While I do not fully recommend those recordings, if you have been biased by his other recordings, you will be surprised at the beauty of this CD. I submit that the recording of Concerto 3 here is completely essential and necessary.While the Concerto 1 is played very well here, I recommend Kyung Wha Chung's live recording paired with the Beethoven. For the Scottish Fantasy, check out Rabin and Heifetz. Make sure to check out the Bruch Double Concerto too, totally awesome music with warmth and power!To all professional violin players out there: please consider putting the Bruch Concerto 3 in your repertoire, it is awesome!"

Fantastic

Christian Jimenez | San Jose, San Jose Costa Rica | 12/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm happy buying the CD's from Accardo, only see Accardo in the CD-Case and you know, something good is inside there. Now talking about this particular CD, is amazing the Max Bruch work. Accardo playing incredible the third concert, a beautiful concert, like the other reviewers I agree, that this concert must be included in the violinist repertoire. Why always the #1 Concert of Bruch, Why always the Wieniawski #2, if those composers has other big master works. Now the technich of the violinist like the the materials of his strings, help so much to perform this works. A Bravo for Mr. Accardo in the release of this work. Accardo is a big master of the violin, and always you could associate with Paganini works, but is incredible listen him in other master works, like Bruch, Wieniawski, etc. I hope that he include in his futures CD's unknown concerts for the public in general like Fiorillo, Rode, Viotti, etc."