Search - Dvorak, Bartok, Muti :: Dvorak: Violin Concerto, Romance; Bartok: Rhapsodies / Chung, Muti, Rattle

Glistening, vibrant , great music-making

Passionate | Stoke on Trent, UK | 07/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kyung Wha Chung has an astonishing ability to make a studio recording sound spontaneous and slightly dangerously like a live recording - in the best possible way. The way she sparks off conductors to produce magical moments in a beguiling seamless weave as in her Mendelssohn with Dutoit, her Sibelius with Previn, and this Dvorak with Muti, all spells intuitive genius. The first movement is lovely, perhaps would be even better if there were a little more pace (comparison with Milstein here, sorry). The adagio ma non troppo is exactly that, and what a fabulous sound, especially with the thrilling trills later on. The finale is full of brio, and the slavonic zest is never more beautifully caught on disc than at the bouncy violin part playing off the orchestra at around 8 mins into the allgro giocoso. This would surely have won a rosette if only the orchestral sound were more lush in the studio setting. Not that I would fault of the orchestra or the conductor in any way, the sound is fine. By the way, if you are inclined to listen to classical music in Dolby Prologic Surround, don't with this disc. For some reason the stereo is unbelievably better than the synthetic surround sound, the stereo image is beautifully focussed, and the violin sounds far more beautiful. Don't ask me the physics of it!
The Romance is exquisite, and deserves 5 gold stars in its own right, even though it may be a 13 minute vignette."

Must-have in any cd collection

Passionate | 04/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was an excellent CD by Kyung-Wha Chung. You will surely fall in love with the Dvorak Violin Concerto if you listen to this CD. I heard no flaw in her technique, and her paraphrasing was wonderful. The orchestra accompanies her just as beautifully. The first movement had some very good technique and dynamics. I especially enjoyed her sound, and the double-stops. The third movement sounded very full and vibrant. I must say that it was very playful. The romance was breath taking! It must be her best recording of a slow piece. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone interested in Kyung-Wha Chung, the Violin Concerto, or the Romance."