Track Listing

1. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Allegro ma non troppo
2. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Larghetto
3. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Rondo, Allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6364 in Music
• Released on: 1999-01-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
When Itzhak Perlman recorded this disc, many critics were surprised by the sobriety and quiet poetry of his interpretation, as though his many fine chamber-music recordings did not provide ample evidence of Perlman's qualities as a "serious" musician. Although beautifully written for the instrument, Beethoven's sole violin concerto does not offer many opportunities for the kind of virtuoso fireworks that have made Perlman famous. But as all great musicians will, he turned this fact to his own advantage. This sensitive, profound performance has already passed into legend as a classic in every sense of the word. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

A recording of resplendent beauty.
I have heard Perlman perform the Beethoven concerto live, and was entranced by his rich, golden tone and enormous depth of feeling. This CD with Carlo Maria Giulini reproduces that live performance as much as any recording could hope to do. Perlman has been unfairly typed as a performer of mere surface flash, and this CD demonstrates just how unfair that charge truly is.

Great Performance
This recording was originally released in the LP era. The sound quality was quite good, with much presence and depth to the sound. This transfer to CD seems to have lost a little of that quality. The presence isn't quite there.

Giulini's accompaniment is rather dry, which the CD transfer seems to make more evident. But the performance by Perlman is excellent. Truly a virtuoso of the highest order!

Perhaps not the greatest overall performance, but one well worth hearing!

I like Giulini with Accardo much better
I agree with the reviewer here who writes, "Perlman's Beethoven is technically sound, and in tune. It is not, however, bold, exciting, unique, or interesting." And I find Giulini's accompaniment too cautious and reverential. Where's the drama?

The Beethoven concerto is a warhorse that also hapens to be a masterpiece, and like the Fifth Sym., we've heard it a hundred times--it needs something fresh to come to life. Perlman and Giulini don't provide that. It's as if they wnated to mkae an officially great document for posterity.

I much prefer Giulini's Sony recording with Salvatore Accardo, who plays with soulful Romaantic ocnviction, not the only approach to Beethoven but better than what we hear on this CD.