Search - Max Bruch, Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Felix [1] Mendelssohn :: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor; Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1

Kennedy and Tate are impeccable

K. C. Tung | Dallas, TX | 02/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nigel Kennedy and Jeffery Tate were simply impeccable in this CD. Both Bruch and Mendelssohn's works were very well done. In fact, If I'd only own one CD for these two works, I wouldn't mind to have this recording. Kennedy put a lot of emotion and passion in his strings. There was no holdback, he was not tentative at all, and his technique is good enough to let the music just flow out of his strings, and he attacks every notes with passion. Both pieces are just so smooth and flow so naturally from the first note to the last. I also have the Bruch concerto made by Heifetz. I compared kennedy's work with Heifetz's, and there is really nothing about Kennedy I can complain. That being said, I think that tells how good Kennedy is. Kennedy in this work has risen above his peers today. I just didn't hear this kind intensity from say, Joshua Bell, or Chiao-Liang Lin."

Glowing

pspa | Boston, MA USA | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Mendelssohn is one of the very best violin concerti ever written, and while there are countless recordings, I don't think you can do much better than this one. The sound is gorgeous, the pacing is just right, not rushed but not drawn out either, and Kennedy plays beautifully and lyrically without getting overly cloying and sentimental as some soloists do, especially in the haunting second movement where I have heard many succumb to the temptation to go over the top. An excellent recording of the Bruch too, although I am less familiar with the various recordings of it and not in the same position to compare it with others."

An incredeble performance

Ben Drew | 05/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best recordings of these two concertos that I've ever heard. With such an acclaimed performer as Nigel Kennedy, it isn't surprising the standard is excellent. The music really flows from the heart and his stlye of performing really suits this type of romantic music. His technical ability is remarkable and playing the violin a little myself, I can safely say he is one of the best living violinist I've ever seen."