Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns: Violin Concertos

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto, for violin & orchestra (or violin & piano) in D major, Op. 35
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Symphony Orchestra with Anton Barakhovsky
Conducted by Vladislav Tchernushenko

2. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 29
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Symphony Orchestra with Alla Aranovskaya
Conducted by Alexander Tchernushenko

Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns: Violin Concertos, Music, Camille Saint-Saens, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Alexander Tchernushenko, Vladislav Tchernushenko, St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Symphony Orchestra, Alla Aranovskaya, Anton Barakhovsky, Classical, Concerto, Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto
The Violinist
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations
 The Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin , Johann Sebastian Bach , Bela Bartok , Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg , Johannes Brahms , Max Bruch , Arcangelo Corelli , Edward Elgar , Franz Joseph Haydn , Edouard Lalo , Felix Mendelssohn , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Carl Nielsen , Niccolo Paganini , Camille Saint-Saens , Jean Sibelius , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Michael Tippett , Henri Vieuxtemps , Antonio Vivaldi , William Walton , Alberto Lysy , Anatole Fistoulari , Antal Dorati , Anthony Bernard , Gaston Poulet , John Pitchard , Mogens Woldike , Pierre Boulez , and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  3. Bach: Orchestral Suites & Concertos
  4. The Glory of Rostropovich: 80th Birthday Tribute
  5. Schubert: 8 Symphonies

ASIN: B0000BWTKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro
  2. II. Affettuoso
  3. III. Allegro
  4. I. Allegro
  5. II. Andante
  6. III. Allegro Assai
  7. I. Allegro
  8. II. Adagio
  9. III. Allegro Assai
  10. I. Vivace
  11. II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
  12. III. Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
  2. I. Allegro Non Troppo
  3. II. Andante Tranquillo
  4. III. Allegro Molto
  5. I. Andante
  6. I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
  7. II. Allegro
  8. II. Adagio

Tracks:

  1. Romance No. 1 In G Major
  2. I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
  3. II. Larghetto
  4. III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
  5. I. Allegro Moderato
  6. II. Adagio
  7. III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

  1. Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
  2. I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
  3. II. Adagio
  4. III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
  5. I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
  6. II. Andante
  7. III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro
  2. II. Andante
  3. III. Allegro Molto
  4. I. Andante Tranquillo
  5. II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
  6. III. Vivace

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
  2. II. Adagio Molto
  3. III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
  4. I. Allegro
  5. II. Andante Cantabile
  6. III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
  7. I. Allegro Maestoso
  8. II. Andante
  9. III. Presto

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Non Troppo
  2. II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
  3. III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
  4. IV. Andante
  5. V. Rondo (Allegro)
  6. I. Allegro Non Troppo
  7. II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
  8. III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
  9. Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
  10. Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
  2. II. Adagio Espressivo
  3. III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
  4. I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
  5. II. Adagio Religioso
  6. III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
  7. IV. Finale (Allegro)
  8. I. Allegro Non Troppo
  9. II. Cadenza
  10. III. Adagio
  11. IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

  1. Serenade Melancolique
  2. I. Allegro Moderato
  3. II. Adagio Di Molto
  4. III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
  5. I. Praeludium (Largo)
  6. I. Allegro Cavalleresco
  7. II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
  8. II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro
  2. II. Largo
  3. III. Allegro
  4. I. Allegro Non Molto
  5. II. Adagio
  6. III. Presto
  7. I. Allegro
  8. II. Adagio
  9. III. Allegro
  10. I. Allegro Non Molto
  11. II. Largo
  12. III. Allegro
  13. I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
  14. II. Allegro
  15. III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
  16. Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.
25 Classical Heartbreakers
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • 25 Classical Heartbreakers
 25 Classical Heartbreakers

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007TFHCA
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars 25 Classical Heartbreakers.......2006-11-29

Although these are popular and widely heard compositions (that's why I gave it 4 stars) they are very soothing when you want to mellow out. However, I can't understand why the title reads '20 Classical Heartbreakers' when there are 25 pieces.
Zino Francescatti: Great Violin Concertos
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Francescatti is the best
  • Great Passion
  • Great Concertos performed greatly
  • Incomparable
  • Brilliant peformances, amazing sound for mono
 Zino Francescatti: Great Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  2. Samuel Barber / Thomas Schippers

ASIN: B0000029P7
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

  1. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.64: I. Allegro molto apassionato - Felix Mendelssohn
  2. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.64: II. Andante - Felix Mendelssohn
  3. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.64: III. Allegretto ma non troppo---Allegro molto vivace - Felix Mendelssohn
  4. Concerto No.1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.26: I. Vorspiel. Allegro moderato - Max Bruch
  5. Concerto No.1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.26: II. Adagio - Max Bruch
  6. Concerto No.1 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.26: III. Finale. Allegro energico - Max Bruch
  7. Concerto No.3 For Violin And Orchestra In B Minor, Op.61: I. Allegro non troppo
  8. Concerto No.3 For Violin And Orchestra In B Minor, Op.61: II. Andantino quasi allegretto
  9. Concerto No.3 For Violin And Orchestra In B Minor, Op.61: III. Molto moderato e maestoso - Allegro non troppo - Piu allegro

Tracks:

  1. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: I. Allegro moderato
  2. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: II. Calzonetta. Andante
  3. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
  4. Concerto No.2 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.63: I. Allegro moderato
  5. Concerto No.2 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.63: II. Andante assai
  6. Concerto No.2 For Violin And Orchestra In G Minor, Op.63: III. Allegro, ben marcato
  7. Poeme For Violin And Orchestra, Op.25

Amazon.com

In the early 1950s, when these recordings were made, Zino Francescatti ranked among the top violin virtuosos of the day. This 2-disc set is a reminder of how good he was, and the excellent transfers enhance the pleasure. The partnership with Mitropoulos strikes sparks in the concertos, the violinist's Franco-Belgian style and natural elegance playing off of Mitropoulos's volatility and tension to good effect. Their pairing of the Mendelssohn and Tchaikowsky Concertos welds poetry to drama in exactly the right proportions. Francescatti's sweet tone makes for a natural fit with the Bruch, and his Saint-Saens's 3rd has been matched but hardly bettered. The Prokofiev is also very fine, with a moving Andante. The Chausson is poised. Outstanding performances by a great violinist. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Francescatti is the best.......2004-07-17

Zino Francescatti is in my opinion is the best virtuoso violinist I have ever heard. If you listen to his performance of the Mendelssohn E minor concerto as well as other artists there is no comparison. First, the tempo is faster and more active. He has more power and precision then Perlman. The notes do not get lost at the end of long passages or cresendos. The younger performers have nothing on Zino.

5 out of 5 stars Great Passion.......2002-06-28

Francescatti is often forgotten in the US because of his frequent stays in his native France and his Italian heritage, but surely ranks among Milstein, Stern, Kreisler, Elamn and others in terms of the great violin interperters of this century. While Heifetz brught the level of violin playing to a new, unforgiving level, Francescatti proved that one could have flair and unending warmth without sacrificing technique. The Tchaikovsky here may be my favorite interpertation I've heard yet. While he does not take it at the breakneck speeds of his contemporary Heifetz, bask in the warmth and power of his sound--especially his double-stops (two notes at once) which ring unlike anyone else's--and the styling which he brings to the score. Upon the end of Mvt. 1 of the Tch. Concerto, one could be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic, heart-racing coda that Francescatti's. Becuase he took his time with the rest of the movement, his techincally-astounding speed at the end adds excitement that, had he chosen to start at his max, could not be achieved. Besides that, the Mendelsohn is a Francescatti speciality, as well as the Saint-Saens, whose popularity was practically due to Francescatti's performances. These recordings should not be the only performances of these pieces in a library--becuase of Francescatti's personal interpertation--but they might be the most expressive. In my opinion, Heifetz was unquestionably the best violinist of the cenutry, while Francescatti is who I enjoy listening to the most.

5 out of 5 stars Great Concertos performed greatly.......2001-07-25

Francescatti has a truely beautiful rich tone that is filled with so much warmth and emotion, it gives you goose bumps. He is masterly accompanied by Dimitri Mitropoulos, sadly, a forgotton conductor whose career was ruined by Leonard Bernstein, by "outing" his homosexuality. Here, Zino and Dimitri give the most inspired Mendelssohn performance you will hear. It is not taken at the slow pace that virtually all conductors and soloists take. It has pace, breadth and energy. Just compare Francesccati's performance, to an equally revered performance by Menuhin and Furtwangler. I guarantee you'll be more impressed by Francesccati and Mitropoulos. The Saint-Saens concerto sounds so vivid, it's hard to believe it was recorded in 1950. Except for the mono sound, it's sound like he recorded it yesterday. A great compilation of concertos that deserve to be in any colleciton!

5 out of 5 stars Incomparable.......1999-02-06

I've waited for these recordings to come out on CD format for years. I only knew of them through records before. Francescatti's playing is refined and warm but it also possesses much excitement and energy. These recordings are invaluable to any music lover's library. The Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky are in a league of their own.

5 out of 5 stars Brilliant peformances, amazing sound for mono.......1998-10-25

I first heard sections of the Tchaikovsky concerto on NPR a couple years ago, and was immediately struck by the emotional involvement as well as the talent which Francescatti shows here. This set of five violin concertos is a part of the Sony/Columbia Masterworks Heritage series, and the performances, all from the early 1950's, have been lovingly remastered in truly beautiful mono sound. There's none of the boxiness or closed-in feeling one sometimes hears in mono recordings, nor is there any detectable surface noise. Instead, you hear waves of warm, rich sound which suit the performances perfectly.

The package includes photos of the original covers of the LPs, as well as informative notes about Francescatti.
Great Violin Concertos
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Great Violin Concertos

    Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B00005N8DJ
    Release Date: 2001-09-25

    Tracks:

    1. Vn Con in e, Op.64: I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
    2. Vn Con in e, Op.64: II. Andante
    3. Vn Con in e, Op.64: III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace
    4. Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: I. Allegro Moderato
    5. Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: II. Adagio
    6. Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: III. Allegro Energico
    7. Vn Con No.3 in b, Op.61: I. Allegro Non Troppo
    8. Vn Con No.3 in b, Op.61: II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
    9. Vn Con No.3 in b, Op.61: III. Molto Moderato - Maestoso

    Tracks:

    1. Vn Con in D, Op.77: I. Allegro Non Troppo
    2. Vn Con in D, Op.77: II. Adagio
    3. Vn Con in D, Op.77: III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace
    4. Vn Con in D, Op.35: I. Allegro Moderato
    5. Vn Con in D, Op.35: II. Canzonetta (Andante)
    6. Vn Con in D, Op.35: III. Allegro Vivacissimo
    Great Concertos - Great Artists, Vol. 1: Violin
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Great Concertos - Great Artists, Vol. 1: Violin

      Manufacturer: Pearl
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by BruchAll Works by Bruch | Bruch, Max | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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      ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      New York Philharmonic OrchestraNew York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      CompilationsCompilations | Classical | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B00070DKRS
      Release Date: 2005-03-22

      Tracks:

      1. Rondo (Tempo Di Menuetto) - Erika Morini
      2. Allegro Molto Appassionato - Nathan Milstein
      3. Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso Op.28 - Alfredo Campoli
      4. Prelude - Allegro Moderato - Nathan Milstein
      5. Allegro - Albert Sammons
      6. Andante Sostenuto - Jascha Heifetz
      7. Andante Sostenuto - David Oistrakh
      8. Finale: Allegro Vivacissimo - Ruggiero Ricci
      Violin Concertos
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Violin Concertos

        Manufacturer: RCA
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by TchaikovskyAll Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
        Classical Instrumental MusicClassical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B000003FI8
        Release Date: 1993-10-12
        Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns: Violin Concertos
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns: Violin Concertos

          Manufacturer: Audio Legends
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by TchaikovskyAll Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
          ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B00005YGG3
          Release Date: 1995-06-20

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