Search - Mendelssohn, Bruch, Perlman :: Violin Concertos

What a bargain!

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 01/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI must be out of their minds to issue this cd at such a low price. Perlman's playing is romantic and distinguished in these two works. I prefer this version of the Mendelssohn to Perlman's other two recorded versions. Mostly because Perlman is balanced closer to the microphone so you can hear the detail and the LSO plays so sensitively under Previn. The great thing for Perlman fans is the price. Finally EMI did something for listeners in the US, because this cd is not currently available in Europe."

Um... not really

Ryan Richards | Midland, MI United States | 10/18/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"On this CD, as always, Perlman's playing is near-flawless and Previn's orchestra is powerful and precise. So I don't really know what went wrong. It sounds as though both artists are trying to make the music TOO Romantic; sure, Mendelssohn was a Romantic composer, but he was still Mendelssohn. He was lyrical, but he never "gushed," as is the case here. It also seems as if Perlman and the orchestra are never quite together, which is hardly noticeable but disturbing nonetheless. I really wish Ruggiero Ricci's recording of these concertos with the LSO was still available; now that's quality. As it is, Isaac Stern's recordings of these concertos (while they must be purchased separately) are better overall, I think."