Although Jascha Heifetz
was unanimously acclaimed as the most
exceptional violinistic phenomenon of
the 20th Century, it was
his interpretative prowess which polarised,
and continues to inflame passions.
The overwhelming majority
of violinists remain enthusiastic devotees,
whilst musicians in general and other
enthusiasts remain ambivalent. Heifetz’s
interpretations remain an acquired taste,
but one to relish, once the requisite
critical processes have been effectively
accomplished.
This extraordinary
disc of sonatas for violin and piano,
by Beethoven, Brahms and Franck proves
to be no exception.
Contrary to Heifetz’s
usual practice of employing mere ‘accompanists’,
he is partnered here by three pianists
of exceptional stature, Moiseiwitsch,
Kapell and Rubinstein, in the Beethoven,
Brahms and Franck respectively, each
impeccably suited to the task in hand.
Beethoven’s Kreutzer
Sonata, which begins the disc, receives
a brisk, gritty and splendidly enigmatic
performance and whilst the balance on
the whole characteristically favours
the violin, the clarity, scrupulous
accuracy and meticulous phrasing of
Moiseiwitsch’s playing wonderfully complements
the indubitable virtuosity of his duo
partner.
Heifetz’s choice of
tempi would in the normal course of
events be deemed cheerfully optimistic,
but one is ultimately and unequivocally
left in no doubt that such ease of execution,
in even the most fiendish of passagework,
illuminates aspects of the Kreutzer
Sonata inaccessible to artists of lesser
stature.
In the third and probably
best known of Brahms’s sonatas for violin
and piano, William Kapell is at the
keyboard. Whilst Heifetz’s own performance
is as opulent and passionate as one
would expect, it is Kapell who really
provides the exuberance, turbulence
and excitement more usually associated
with Brahms.
Heifetz‘s accuracy
and fluidity is again mesmerising and
he provides an object lesson in the
judicious use of the expressive tools
available in the violinist’s arsenal,
especially with the exceptional variety
in his vibrato and the subtlest use
of portamenti, all but overcoming the
apparent emotional reticence for which
he has been all too often criticised.
The legendary Artur
Rubinstein joins Heifetz for the final
work on the disc, César Franck’s
Sonata in A major, in an interpretation
of this masterpiece which is nothing
less than exceptional.
The ravishing interplay
between Rubinstein’s unforced virtuosity
and Heifetz’s lack of affectation effortlessly
combine to provide a cumulative sense
of drama which proves as overwhelming
as it is irresistible.
Truly more than just
the sum of the individual parts!
Mark Obert-Thorn and
Naxos have to be congratulated for adding
another valuable and historic performance
to the collection of the connoisseur
and music lover.
Leon Bosch
see also reviews
by
Colin Clarke and Jonathan
Woolf
Jascha Heifetz (violin) 
