Recommendations: Dvorak’s Violin Concerto

[fergus]

Dvorak’s Violin Concerto is a work that I really like; the lively and energetic first movement, the beautifully contemplative slow movement and the somewhat rejuvenating final movement. Do you know this work?

I have four versions in my collection....

Little - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Handley [Classics for Pleasure]
Martzy - RIAS Symphony Orch. Berlin / Fricsay [DG]
Suk – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Ancerl [Supraphon]
Zehetmair - Philharmonia Orchestra / Eschenbach [Warner/Apex]



A perusal of Amazon throws up the following purchasing possibilities;

Julia Fischer under Zinmann [Decca]
Oistrakh under Kondrashin [Regis]
Chang under Davis [EMI]

Does anyone know of or have any of these recordings?
I would welcome any recommendations you might have for this very fine work.

[Seán]

Dvorak’s Violin Concerto is a work that I really like; the lively and energetic first movement, the beautifully contemplative slow movement and the somewhat rejuvenating final movement. Do you know this work?

I have four versions in my collection....

Little - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Handley [Classics for Pleasure]
Martzy - RIAS Symphony Orch. Berlin / Fricsay [DG]
Suk – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Ancerl [Supraphon]
Zehetmair - Philharmonia Orchestra / Eschenbach [Warner/Apex]



A perusal of Amazon throws up the following purchasing possibilities;

Julia Fischer under Zinmann [Decca]
Oistrakh under Kondrashin [Regis]
Chang under Davis [EMI]

Does anyone know of or have any of these recordings?
I would welcome any recommendations you might have for this very fine work.

I am afraid I don't Fergus but I must say that I would not hesitate to buy any recordings by Oistrakh, he is beyond compare in my book.

[Jose Echenique]

The Julia Fischer is very fine, excellent sound too. I like very much the Maxim Vengerov with Kurt Masur, Vengerov was in his finest years when he made his recording. The newer Anne Sophie Mutter is also very good.
The Dvorak Violin Concerto is rare to find in the concert hall, I can´t even remember hearing it live in my experience! Have any of you guys heard it live?

[fergus]

Dvorak’s Violin Concerto is a work that I really like; the lively and energetic first movement, the beautifully contemplative slow movement and the somewhat rejuvenating final movement. Do you know this work?

I have four versions in my collection....

Little - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Handley [Classics for Pleasure]
Martzy - RIAS Symphony Orch. Berlin / Fricsay [DG]
Suk – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Ancerl [Supraphon]
Zehetmair - Philharmonia Orchestra / Eschenbach [Warner/Apex]



A perusal of Amazon throws up the following purchasing possibilities;

Julia Fischer under Zinmann [Decca]
Oistrakh under Kondrashin [Regis]
Chang under Davis [EMI]

Does anyone know of or have any of these recordings?
I would welcome any recommendations you might have for this very fine work.

I am afraid I don't Fergus but I must say that I would not hesitate to buy any recordings by Oistrakh, he is beyond compare in my book.

I am inclined to agree Seán and particularly as he is conducted by Kondrashin I think this one is a no brainer for me after Christmas.

[fergus]

The Julia Fischer is very fine, excellent sound too. I like very much the Maxim Vengerov with Kurt Masur, Vengerov was in his finest years when he made his recording. The newer Anne Sophie Mutter is also very good.
The Dvorak Violin Concerto is rare to find in the concert hall, I can´t even remember hearing it live in my experience! Have any of you guys heard it live?

Thank you for that Pepe. I had looked at the Vengerov/Masur and, although I have no problem with Vengerov, I had some reservations regarding Masur. However, if you like it I will certainly revisit that one for consideration.

I have never heard it live either. It is a pity because it is a really lovely piece. Perhaps the problem is that it is not particularly "showy"?

[Jose Echenique]

The Julia Fischer is very fine, excellent sound too. I like very much the Maxim Vengerov with Kurt Masur, Vengerov was in his finest years when he made his recording. The newer Anne Sophie Mutter is also very good.
The Dvorak Violin Concerto is rare to find in the concert hall, I can´t even remember hearing it live in my experience! Have any of you guys heard it live?

Thank you for that Pepe. I had looked at the Vengerov/Masur and, although I have no problem with Vengerov, I had some reservations regarding Masur. However, if you like it I will certainly revisit that one for consideration.

I have never heard it live either. It is a pity because it is a really lovely piece. Perhaps the problem is that it is not particularly "showy"?

You know dear Fergus that I like much better the sound of European orchestras, but since Dvorak himself conducted the NY Philharmonic they have a certain authority in his music. Masur does a good job, I don´t think his conducting here can be objected. I just remembered another good recording I have enjoyed over the years, it´s Shlomo Mintz with James Levine conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. It was a very early digital recording on DG, it may not even be available any more.

[fergus]

You know dear Fergus that I like much better the sound of European orchestras, but since Dvorak himself conducted the NY Philharmonic they have a certain authority in his music. Masur does a good job, I don´t think his conducting here can be objected. I just remembered another good recording I have enjoyed over the years, it´s Shlomo Mintz with James Levine conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. It was a very early digital recording on DG, it may not even be available any more.

You have eased my concerns on the Masur, Pepe, and thank you for the Mintz/Levine recommendation.

[mcq]

Oistrakh is self-recommending, Fergus, and, among recent versions, Julia Fischer is very good, but you should also investigate the ever-excellent Isabelle Faust on Harmonia Mundi, whose version is coupled with a superb performance of the piano trio and is due to be reissued at budget price in January.

[fergus]

You know dear Fergus that I like much better the sound of European orchestras, but since Dvorak himself conducted the NY Philharmonic they have a certain authority in his music. Masur does a good job, I don´t think his conducting here can be objected.

I like those kind of connections Pepe; thank you for that.

I just remembered another good recording I have enjoyed over the years, it´s Shlomo Mintz with James Levine conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. It was a very early digital recording on DG, it may not even be available any more.

Thank you Pepe; I will look it up.

[fergus]

Oistrakh is self-recommending, Fergus, and, among recent versions, Julia Fischer is very good, but you should also investigate the ever-excellent Isabelle Faust on Harmonia Mundi, whose version is coupled with a superb performance of the piano trio and is due to be reissued at budget price in January.

Thank you for that Paul. I had come across the Faust recording in my search but I had nothing to go on. I have a number of her recordings and I like her playing. The fact that it will be released at budget price is also attractive!