Stunning!
T. Beers | Arlington, Virginia United States | 01/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here are two gorgeously lyrical violin concertos played to the hilt by arguably the greatest violinist of all time, and sounding absolutely spectacular courtesy of JVC's XRCD premium remastering process. The Mendelssohn is also available (coupled with the Beethoven concerto) on a regularly-priced BMG/RCA "Living Stereo" CD, but the greater depth and fidelity of JVC's remastering makes this an indispensable "must buy," especially for Heifetz fans. Kudos also to the special elegance and intensity that Charles Munch and the BSO deliver in both concertos: the Prokofieff is delightfully barbed and brilliant, the Mendelssohn astonishly warm and songful in spite of unbelievably quick tempi. Note that, unlike Sony's SACD technology, you don't need a special CD player to enjoy JVC's premium product .... but the better your sound system, the more you'll be able to appreciate just what magic JVC engineers have been able to work with RCA's fine master tapes. (Both concertos were recorded in early 1958 in Boston's acoustically-famed Symphony Hall. They sound like they were recorded yesterday, albeit there is some tape hiss apparent. Not that this interferes with what my ears hear.) Worth every penny!"