A good friend of mine was looking the other day for a good recording of Brahms violin concerto. Although I know him quite well I am not sure yet what his musical taste is exactly. So, I had to think of a couple of great recordings among which I am pretty sure he will find his favorite. It is as usual a job with a certain degree of difficulty as there is no perfect version. However we are pretty lucky as is one of the fundamental concertos of the violin repertoire and all the great fiddlers had at least one take on it. I will resume to those that enlightened this great piece of musical architecture for me, and provided moments of discovery and revelation. I sure hope you will find among these one that speaks to your heart and mind in a very significant way. Let's meet them:
1. Nathan Milstein with Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Anatole Fistoulari.
A very powerful performance. Milstein's glorious tone and unfailing musical intelligence serve this concerto to a spectacular performance that fills the room with energy and beautiful, big, romantic, self-confident geniality. A personal favorite, for the wealth of musical blossom, conducted by a remarkable intelligence, a complete authority over the instrument that becomes a voice of many voices that transposes you inside Brahms head making you part of his cortical activity.
2. Itzhak Perlman with Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini.
An amazing lustrous performance. Perlman governs the proceeings with his glowing tone an forages the deepest corners of this music, while Giulini recreates an immense romantic landscape with superlative playing from the Chicagoans. A meeting of profound artists and a result that immerses you in an ocean of music and recreates in front of your eyes more of Brahms world than you could think possible.
3. David Oistrakh with French Radio Orchestra conducted by Otto Klemperer.
Another great recording. A meeting that promises the world and delivers more. Oistrakh plays with his usual involvement and profound musicianship. He lingers through the hidden corners of Brahms soul and breathes fire when he tells the world what he feels. Klemperer is right there providing his proverbial granit-like foundation for a romantic construction that is both svelte and powerful.
4. Jasha Heifetz with Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner.
An all American tour de force that just sweepes you of your feet. Jasha is at the height of his enormous powers and is one of the great examples of the kind of performances that made him the phenomenon fiddler of the last century. The concerto is closer to his sensibility than Beethoven's and such music comes shinning through an overwhelming display of dazzling technique. Again the Chicagoans provide a great support under the all-overseeing baton of Fritz Reiner. One of a kind.
5. Yehudi Menuhin with Lucerne festival Orchestra conducted by Wilhelm Furtwangler
A meeting of the titans somewhere halfway through the last century. Menuhin, already a mature, profound musician and Furtwangler the abyssal conductor that could recreate the worlds biggest works. They are overwhelming, going together, head to head beyond the music, into place where ideas live not bothered by anything. Music making from a different world that has to be heard to be believed. A must in every serious collection.
