Track Listing

1. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Allegro, ma non troppo
2. Piano Concerto in D major (after the Violin Concerto, Op. 61), Op. 61a: Larghetto
3. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Rondo: Allegro
4. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
5. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: Andante
6. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo; Allegro molto vivace

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37025 in Music
• Brand: RCA
• Released on: 2006-09-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

Exilerating
I love the new medium of SACD and this one certainly didn't disappoint me. I thought that very confortable sound was one of the best things about his remastering. It is so very clear that the dynamics of SACD had been used when remastering this. I often think that CDs have an edgy sound, especially from a piano, that I just couldn't shake. This release has none of that edgy sound and everything sounds so natural and great.

The performances itself are second to none. The two magnificent artists, Jascha Heifetz and Charles Munch, are great together. The Beethoven concerto is performed so much artistic finness. It is played quite fast. I am always in awe when hearing Heifetz at the apparent ease when playing an extremely difficult piece. The Mendelsohn concerto is even more remarkably played than the Beethoven. Again Heifetz is quite fast but always true to the piece. The end of first movement was especially exilerating.
If you are a fan of Jascha Heifetz you should not miss the Naxos Historical release of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with he and Toscanini. That one is also quite remarkable, but quite different.
At this low price you really couldn't go wrong if you are looking for great performances of Beethoven's or Mendelsohn's Violin Concertos. I bought it even though I had the CD version and I was definitly not disappointed.

You'll Love it or Hate it
Heifetz was perhaps the most polarizing artist of the last century. People either love him or hate him. His admirer's note his flawless technique and tonality. His detractor's say his performances sound cold. I happen to rate him (along with Milstein & Oistrakh) right at the top. If you have never heard Heifetz, this is a great place to start. If you are already a Heifetz fan, these recordings will not disappoint and the sound is also great.

Yes, this is indeed the greatest recording.
Heifetz handles both the Mendelssohn and Beethoven with his extraordinary skill and grace. He is by no means cold or mechanical on this recording-- instead, he is expressive though not sappy. The Beethoven is sheer perfection--it gives me chills up my spine whenever I hear it. I have heard many versions of this concerto, but the Heifetz and Munch version is the only one that sounds exactly right. The same goes with the Mendelssohn. Once you listen to this recording, you'll wonder how you were able to even tolerate other versions of these concertos.