 | Label: Testament Released: 04 Aug 1997 RRP: Average Rating:  |
Compare this with Oistrakh: throughout his performance there is sense of perfect balance & development, not measured or studied or strained - it is merely that alll the beauty & ecstatic joy of this concerto sings through as Oistrakh plays: nothing is obscured, everything is expressed, there is a true harmony of musician & music.
I would recommend Menhuin & Furtwangler only to people who already own a recording made by Oistrakh (eg with Cluytens or Erhling.)
It's tough to know how to rate things on here. I've knocked off two stars for the performance & for the sound. If I like something I usuallly just go for a five.
With typical modesty Menuhin cites this as being a rare example of a performance exceeding one's memory of it. yet, even if this were not a superlative performance it would have been historic. Furtwangler was being ostracised after the war for staying in Germany, Menuhin had refused to do so. But more than that, this was a meeting of two unique musical sensibilities, each bringing the best out of each other.
Menuhin's tone is radiant. There is a hushed, silent quality between the notes - never more so than in the sublime slow moment. Furtwangler's accompanyment, sympathetic & alive matching Menuhin's sublime playing. The music making has a spititual as well as aesthetic intensity that has rarely been equaled in this work - even in their later re-recording of the work. One of the greatest recordings of this work.
The Romances are slighter works than the Concerto. But their have great lyrical charm & beauty are shown to full advantage by conductor & soloist. Here too they are given performances to treasure.
An essential CD for lovers of Beethoven & fans of these two great musicians.
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