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 Spectacular !!!!!! April 30, 2015
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By David Eicher
(Los Angeles, CA) -- See All My Reviews
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I have ALWAYS thought Heifetz was the greatest violinist who ever lived. This set only confirms that. But I now believe that Piatigorsky is 100% the equal of Heifetz, therefore making him the greatest 'cellist who has ever lived. The Brahms Double is absolutely the best I have ever heard in my life. CD 18, the Dvorak Trio with William Primrose, and the duets by Stravinsky, Gliere, and Handel is the clincher. Heifetz and Piatigorsky mano a mano on that CD is unquestionably the greatest violin and 'cello playing I have EVER heard. This set is a "must have!"
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Never Equaled! April 29, 2015
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By David P.
(Palm Springs, CA) -- See All My Reviews
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These recordings, albeit on vinyl, were the first time I heard most of these pieces as a classical music-struck teenager in the early 60's. The reproduction is wonderful, and catches the true spirit of this music. Listening to these is such a contrast to the perfect but often sterile performances produced now. These were all musicians who were influenced by the romantic traditon of the late 1800s, and it shows. The pace of the second and final movements of the Brahms Sextet in G are breakneck and breathtaking. The final section of the final movement movement also epitomizes the Hungarian spirit that is within Brahms music. These musicians wern't just technicians, they were artists and fully realized multi-dimensional human beings. If you've never heard any of these pieces performed, listen to them here first!
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So Far, So Satisfying! April 25, 2015
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By Nancy D.
(LOS ANGELES, CA) -- See All My Reviews
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Temporary commitments have kept me from hearing some of the 21 discs, but, based upon what I have sampled so far, I am SO full of rapturous gladness over the priceless luxury of having decided to add this set of gems to my recording collection!
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"Oldies but Goodies" April 11, 2015
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By M. Wilson
(Kenmore, WA) -- See All My Reviews
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This is an outstanding compilation of chamber music by superb musicians from the past. It has none of the scratchiness that we so often hear in recordings from the 50's and 60's. The price is unbeatable, and the set includes so many of the great duos, trios, and more.
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FANTASTIC!! September 17, 2013
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By Donald S.
(Denver, CO) -- See All My Reviews
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Unbelievable quality on all counts: Artists, Music, Performances, Sound! Re-Mastering excellent sound. So enjoyable. Interesting presentation of original vinyl jackets. What a bargain price also.
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the great masters July 3, 2013
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By Menahem Breuer
(Tel-Aviv, Israel) -- See All My Reviews
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These great masters - as musicians and instrumentalists - together with William Primrose, create the very top line of the last century artists; a must for every musician and music lover!
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A sound investment for chamber music lovers June 5, 2013
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By Arthur Leonard
(New York, NY) -- See All My Reviews
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Even though I already had some of the original single CD releases of some of the music included in this collection, I jumped at Arkiv Music's offer of the entire box at a heavily discounted price, because these are wonderful performances, rendered to the highest standards of technique and interpretation. Heifetz and Piatigorsky collaborated on chamber music concerts through the 1950s and 1960s. The concept of reissuing the set with original album covers and notes (with print so microscopically small as to be virtually unreadable) and original programming per disc is, on the one hand, rather stupid! That is, it results in many very short discs, and also a few duplications as RCA recoupled some performances over multiple releases. But at the price the duplications are not a big deal, and the individual cardboard albums can fit into standard CD binders, so I have no storage complaints. The entire set is beautifully remastered, and everything pays repeated listening. Also, these performers frequently ventured outside the "standard" repertory, so we also get some real novelties among the masterworks. Highly recommended.
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