Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Ferenc Fricsay :: Yehudi Menuhin: In Memoriam

A Tribute to Yehudi Menuhin

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 06/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of two CDs holds the only recording Yehudi Menuhin made of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Sir Yehudi had nothing against the concerto and counted it among the first that he learned and played. Another recording of the concerto had been made with Sir Adrian Boult in 1959 by was never issued as Sir Yehudi was not pleased with the performance. It is a matter of conjecture as to why Sir Yehudi did not play the concerto in concert but this recording of the work is superb. There is a complete understanding between the conductor Ferenc Fricsay and Sir Yehudi, together they have produced one of the most spirited and emotionally deep performances of the Tchaikovsky concerto. This recording was made in 1949 and is a remarkably clear and noise free performance.Accompanying the Tchaikovsky concerto are three of the ten Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Beethoven recorded by Sir Yehudi and Wilhelm Kempff for Deutsche Gramophone. One of the sonatas on this set id the "Kreutzer" which I had on the original LP, and it is nicely transferred to CD. Also represented id the "Spring" sonata and Sonata No. 7, op. 30 no. 2, along with two shorter works for piano and violin. These performances have a legendary status, and Sir Yehudi and Wilhelm Kempff are among the best interpreters of these chamber works. This is a CD set that is a must for those of us who have admired Yehudi Menuhin over the years and miss him."

Menuhin's only Tchaikovsky Concerto

Chung-Whun Chung | Seoul, Republic of Korea | 11/10/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yehudi Menuhin was recorded Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto twice but survived one here. It was a live recording in Titania-Palast probably. But in 3rd movement, Menuhin and Ferenc Fricsay performed 'abriged version'. I was very disappointed this(I think it must played completely.). And, Menuhin's playing was a little 'oozing', especially 2nd canzonetta movement. Beethoven's three sonatas-5th 'Spring', 9th 'Kreutzer' and profundly 7th-and Rondo are better than Tchaikovsky. Menuhin and Wilhelm Kempff were recorded complete cycle of Beethoven's Violin Works for Deutsche Grammophon in 1970. It was issued by Deutsche Grammophon's '2 for 1' series. Menuhin and Kempff's playing were not so good in 'virtuosic' eyes. But they performed very joyful, particulary 5th 'Spring' sonata. Maybe you'll hear only Beethoven's major violin works, it's a good choice."