Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederic Chopin, Felix [1] Mendelssohn :: Tchaikovsky, Bach: Violin Concertos

Listen to the violin entrance at the opening of the Tchaikowsky for a demonstration of an older style of violin playing by a master who wrings every emotional overtone from a handful of notes. It helps explain why Mischa Elman was considered a worthy peer of Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler. Aside from drop-dead tonal opulence, Elman uses every expressive trick in the book--phrases are sculpted with generous pauses to heighten the dramatic effect, rubato to enliven the line, portamento, and even good old-fashioned scooping to draw tears. Throughout, there's an irresistible vocal quality to the tone. Elman scales things down for the Bach, which is lovely. The fillers are studies in shameless sentimentality and tonal plushness. Fine transfers of 1929-33 recordings --Dan Davis