"Anne-Sophie Mutter is, in my opinion, the greatest living violinist. With her warm, singing tone and technical virtuosity, everything this brilliant woman touches with the violin, she makes gold. Not that Beethoven's Violin/Triple concertos need the help; they are legendary works in their own right. But Mutter performs with staggering skill. This is an essential recording. Period."
Great music here!!
09/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wonderful, "desert island" recordings. I don't even know whom to praise first! Anne-Sophie Mutter's beautiful engaging, sensual and powerful violin playing is given energetic, warm and spirited support by the greatest maestro ever - Herbert von Karajan. On triple concerto they are joined by the stellar company of Yo-Yo Ma and Mark Zeltser, creating the only competition to Oistrach and Rostropovich (also with Maestro Karajan, on EMI). The whole experience is astonishing, Beethoven's music blazes through the speakers with incredible poignancy and splendor. In liner notes Anne-Sophie Mutter explains that through innovation and revolutionary vision Beethoven created the greatest violin concerto in history. Preferences may vary, but you will agree with her after listening to this incredible album. Thanks to DG for issuing these great performances in a single set, graced by a picture of lovely and charismatic Ms. Mutter."
Great! Great! Great!
S. D Slack | Chattanooga, TN | 10/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first recording I ever heard of the Beethoven violin concerto was by Perlman. It too is very good, but my taste in music had not really developed. I thought it was too long and that it was boring. Then I saw this CD yesterday at a used bookstore. I had never heard the triple so I really bought it for that. I listened to it first and it is really great. A combination of Ma and Mutter can't go wrong. But, then I listened to the Violin concerto. If you read the little thing inside the CD Mutter says it's the greates violin concerto, well I don't know about greates but it is incredible. I then went back and listened to Perlmans. Mutter's is better in my oppinion. This is a must buy!"
Mutter and Karajan
Larry Vu | Illinois | 07/16/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Sophie-Anne Mutter is no doubt one of the great violinist. So is Yo-yo Ma, the cellist. And Karajan is no doubt one of the greatest conductor ever. Given that, this CD is not up to expectation.One reason is that the violin concerto is her debut performance with the Berliner Philharmoniker back to the 80s. In that performance, her technique was exceptionally good. However, I think she overused the vibration technique and lack a more deep feeling.The triple concerto, with the participation of Yoyo Ma, is below expectation. The orchestra is out performed the soloits so that it becomes dominant. For a concerto, I think the soloists must be at the center. Here, the orchestra is considerably louder than the violin and the cello. Maybe, it dues to sound recording.But over all, it is a good CD, two for the price of one."
Simply beautiful
D. Nathan Rice | Tempe, Arizona | 03/05/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Anne-Sophie Mutter takes the Beethoven concerto to a whole new level. Ms. Mutter brings to your attention a depth to the concerto that you just don't hear when others perform it. Other performers take the piece at face value, and it becomes just another display of virtuosity. Mutter, though (no doubt under the suggestion of Herbert von Karajan), takes her time and thoroughly examines every last phrase, making this the most beautiful recording I've heard. The piece becomes not so much a concerto, but a wonderful symphony with gorgeous violin commentary. Great stuff."