Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Thomas Beecham :: Mozart: Violin Concertos #4 & 5/Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto - Jascha Heifetz, Sir Thomas Beecham, Sir John Barbirolli

Ravishing

David Saemann | 09/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, I must correct some information on the Amazon description of this disc. Only the Mozart 4 is a 2006 remastering. The other remasterings are from 1994, and don't sound quite as vivid. That said, this probably is an essential disc for violin fanciers. In the Mozart 4th from 1947, Heifetz adopts quick tempos but the music never seems rushed. His tone is luscious and sinuous, and his articulation is second to none. In the program notes, Heifetz is quoted as saying that Mozart and Beethoven are the really tough composers for a violinist, and you can hear in the 4th Heifetz constantly making judgement calls on interpretation and phrasing. Beecham's accompaniment is superb. The Mendelssohn is a classic reading. I have Heifetz's stereo version with Munch. There the violinist is recorded up close, while the balance with the orchestra in the 1949 version is far more realistic. Otherwise, the interpretations are very similar, with Heifetz adopting some breakneck tempos that nevertheless seem quite in tune with the meaning of the piece. Heifetz's interpretation of the Mendelssohn always has been my favorite, and I suspect that this is the version I will return to. As for the Mozart 5, the 1934 sound engineering is rather dim, a fault I suspect as much of the remastering as of the original 78's. This was Heifetz's first recording of a complete concerto, and it was an inspired choice. Tempos are more leisurely than in No. 4, and Heifetz plays with poise and superb lyricism. Barbirolli's accompaniment is warmhearted. This compilation also has received a remastering on Naxos, which might be superior--I haven't heard it. Nevertheless, some format of these recordings really belongs in every violin lover's library."