Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic :: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto; Symphony No. 4; Hebrides Overture

Excellent performances

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 05/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No less an authority than Gramophone magazine has this version of the Mendelssohn violin concerto listed as their top choice. I completely agree. This 1969 recording catches the young Zukerman at his peak, with lovely phrasing, sweet tone, and complete virtuosity. Bernstein doesn't overpower his soloist, but the NYPO does provide full blooded accompaniment with very good sound. The recent remastering for "The Bernstein Century" has only helped. There is an overall sense of teamwork between the artists here, and they are in sync the whole way. The Fourth Symphony, the "Italian", is also vibrant. When I checked the liner notes I could not believe this was recorded in 1958! The sound is unbelievably good for that time period, better even than some cd's being released today. It is a lively account, better than Bernstein's later recording with the Israel Philharmonic. One of the best of the "Bernstein Century" reissues."

Zukerman is magic!

Gorky | 07/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Magic Pinchas Zukerman, certainly the best Mendelssohn violin concerto available today even with the long legendary list of well known violinists who have registered this famous masterpiece ..... In 1969 Zukerman was young! The musicality, sweet sound of his violin and enthusiasm are the source of the incomparable emotion getting out of his fantastic play. Bernstein conducts the orchestra like it should be, without over weighting the sound of the violin. A fantastic emotion come and the interpretation is magic. Note the continuity between first and second movement. Person who are looking for a romantic, talent, a marvelous violinist ....listen Zukerman in this concerto and you will understand what make difference with the other violinists.....this is the only advise I could suggest. As a bonus you have the best Italian Symphony version recorded by Bernstein in 1958! A miracle of technology with a very good sound still there. Personally I have a preference for the incomparable version by Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, and both are so magnificent. But the interpretation of Zukerman is unique and send you to the nirvana.....five stars are not enough! Again catch up the CD quick before it is too late!"

A great early Italian Sym., but Zukerman is nothing special

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The raves below for Pinchas Zukerman's Mendelssohn Concerto from 1969 seem deluded to me. This is a reading that moves along like any other generic performance, with a bit of sparkle but thin tone and nothing at all special in the way of ideas. Many other violinists have offered more personality, and if you want depth, the Menuhin/Furtwangler version, although in somewhat dull mono on EMI, remains unsurpassed. I don't hear any great enthusiasm from Bernstein, either. This was a walk-through assignment for both.



By comparison, the Italian Sym. fairly bursts out of the speakers. It dates from 1958, the year LB took over the NY Phil., and I doubt there has ever been a performance that radiates such roisterous joy. We are in Beecham land, where the conductor is having such undiluted fun that the listener must join in. The sound is a bit thin but on a big scale and very listenable if you can tame some shrieky highs. One of the nicest things about this reading is that it's loose around the edges; you don't feel that the music is being mechanically turned out by tight-minded virtuosos. No speed records are set in the finale, either, which is another advantage.



The War March of the Priests from Athalie must have been tossed in from a pops program; it's harmless enough but raises no militant feelings--these must be Protestant ministers going to war over cupcakes. Finally, we get a bright, fast-moving Hebrides Over. that's so good you forget you're listening to a moldy chestnut. In reality it's a masterpiece."