Classical Music CDs at ArkivMusic Cart Wish List My Account Gift Certificates Newsletter Help
Composers | Conductors | Performers | Ensembles | Operas | Labels | ArkivCDs | DVDs | Search | More... New ArkivMusic Reissues On Sale
New Releases Recommendations Top Sellers On Sale CDs Under $10 Broadway Reissues Super Audio CDs MP3s Blu-ray Discs Listen Magazine
 Home >
WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org
 Brahms: Violin Concerto, Double Concerto / Reiner, Wallenstein, Heifetz, Piatigorsky
Release Date: 04/20/2004 
Label:  Rca Victor Red Seal Catalog #: 59410   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Johannes Brahms
Performer:  Jascha HeifetzGregor Piatigorsky
Conductor:  Fritz ReinerAlfred Wallenstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony OrchestraRCA Victor Symphony Orchestra

Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: n/a 
Length: 1 Hours 4 Mins. 

CD  $9.49
Add To Your Cart
In Stock

Add To Your Cart
In Stock: Usually ships in 24 hours.
Notes & Reviews   Works on This Recording  
 Notes & Reviews Back to Top 
These performances were recently available separately on RCA Living Stereo CDs, and their reappearance on one mid-priced disc is certainly welcome. Heifetz's legendary singing tone, dead-on accuracy, and impulsive drive rarely were more evident than in this stunning Brahms performance, one of the fastest ever. Yet it's not speed for speed's sake, as Heifetz's engaging energy serves the music handsomely (especially as he supplies his own virtuosic yet stylistically attuned cadenza), making this warhorse of a concerto sound ever fresh and vital. He finds ideal partners in Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony, who offer a powerful and polished accompaniment. The 1957 recording sounds astonishingly vivid and naturally balanced.

The Heifetz/Piatigorsky Double Concerto is a fairly blistering account that reveals a youthful ardor residing in the aging Brahms. Again tempos are quick, with the two soloists being pushed seemingly to the limit yet still managing technically flawless performances. However, in this case the speed lends the music a breathless quality that (especially in the finale) somewhat shortchanges its harmonic nuance and rhythmic subtlety. Nevertheless, if it's unbridled virtuosity you want in this work, Heifetz and Piatigorsky fill the bill--especially as they're supported by an equally revved-up Alfred Wallenstein with the RCA Victor Symphony. The 1960 recording is considerably less warm and full than the Chicago sessions, but sounds decent enough. This release easily beats out similarly coupled offerings--and at mid price too! What a deal!

--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com
 Works on This Recording Back to Top 
1.  Concerto for Violin in D major, Op. 77 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:  Jascha Heifetz (Violin)
Conductor:  Fritz Reiner
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1878; Austria 
2.  Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102 "Double" by Johannes Brahms
Performer:  Gregor Piatigorsky (Cello), Jascha Heifetz (Violin)
Conductor:  Alfred Wallenstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1887; Austria 
 About ArkivMusic  Contact Us  Partner Program  Institutional Sales  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy  Help  Your Account  Shortcuts  
ArkivMusic - The Source for Classical Music!

Copyright ArkivMusic LLC, 2010.
Data supplied by Muze, Inc. Copyright 1948-2010. For personal use only. All rights reserved. Muze logo
Reviews provided by ClassicsToday.com Copyright 1999-2004