Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.
61.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-97)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.
77.
Jascha Heifetz (violin); NBC
Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini (Beethoven); Boston Symphony Orchestra/Serge
Koussevitzky (Brahms).
Naxos Historical
8.110936 [AAD]
[76'39]
Crotchet
Amazon
UK
Amazon
USA
Mark Obert-Thorn has effected excellent transfers of these Heifetz performances
(both originally issue on Victor). Despite their age (the Beethoven dates
from March 1940, the Brahms from April 1939), a multitude of orchestral details
are clearly audible.
The most impressive of these two concerto accounts is the Brahms, in which
Heifetz is powerfully accompanied by Koussevitzky and the Boston orchestra.
The BSO plays with real vehemence and there is a true partnership between
soloist and conductor. The cadenza in the first movement is Heifetz' version
of the Auer, and it is quite an achievement that he maintains interest in
it from first note to last. The Adagio possesses drama as well as
lyricism and there is real grit to the finale.
The Beethoven is perhaps less of a success, due in no short measure to
Toscanini's relentless account of the orchestral part. His nickname of 'the
bandmaster' seems to fit like a glove and somehow the pair never gets to
the heart of the piece. Although the Larghetto starts tenderly, it
soon relapses into the run-through of the first movement.
Well worth acquiring for the Brahms.
Reviewer
Colin Clarke
Performance
(Beethoven)
(Brahms)
Recording
