Bruch: Complete Violin Concertos - Accardo - GL - Masur Postmark

Salvatore Accardo, on the 1718 "Firebird ex Saint-Exupéry" Stradivarius It is called 'The Firebird' because of its fire-red varnish and its fish-bone shaped grain, resembling a bird about to take off and for its brilliant sound
Ex-St Exupery, after a previous owner the author of The Little Prince

Serenade, for violin and orchestra in A minor, Op.75
Scottish Fantasy, for violin & orchestra, Op.46
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.26
Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, Op.44
Violin Concerto No.3 in D minor, Op.58





Gewandhausorchester Leipzig - Kurt Masur, conductor




Label: Philips Duo, 462167 (2 CDs)
UPC: 028946216729
ASIN: B0000069CT
CD Release: March 17, 1998
Recording Type: ADD, Stereo, Studio
Recording Date: 1977-1978
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig
Running Time: 2 37' 16''


Having discovered Max Bruch's works much later than those of Mozart, Beethowen, Bach, Haydn, Schubert or Tchaikovsky, I feel that he is one of the most underrated or underappreciated composers. While he may not be right up there with the titans, his violin concertos are a pure delight to the ear, although Mendelssohn's influence is quite obvious. Karajan once told the strings of the Gewandhaus Orchestra: "Your sound is shining like old gold". Listen to this set and you will know what he meant. I bought it accidentally some years ago, and the recording of the first concerto soon became my favourite Bruch recording. This concerto is often played in a sweet and romantic way, which makes it unbearable sentimental. Masur and Accardo are playing it more dramatically than often heard, which gives the adagio a perfect balance and provides the first and third movement with new life. The other recordings are just as remarkable. I wonder if not the first movement of the second concerto or the notturno of the serenade are even more beautiful slow movements as the famous adagio from the first concerto? The Bruch 3rd Violin Concerto sounds like the younger sister of the Brahms Violin Concerto. However, the sister is less serious and much sexier. It is well known about Mr. Accardo's collection of great violins and his ability to change from a Strad to a Guarneri. Here he presents an unbelievable display of awesome tone from his violin, a lot better than the other recordings I have heard by him. His vibrato is lush and phrasing is wonderful here. Salvadore Accordo was a sensational violinist when he recorded all the works on this double CD but he was never as famous as Perlman. But Perlman only recorded the first concerto of Bruch, as is the case with almost every famous violinist for the last 100 years. Hopefully, that will change. As I said Accordo was a sensational violinist with a tone that was huge and beautiful and a technique second to none. The performances here are first class in every way, simply fabulous: Accardo joins Bruch in a divine feeling. I think this is one of the best performances of Accardo virtuoso. This CD should be in every serious collection.




Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.26
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig - June 1977
1.01 I. Vorspiel. Allegro moderato
1.02 II. Adagio
1.03 III. Finale. Allegro energico

Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, Op.44
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig - June 1977
1.04 I. Adagio non troppo
1.05 II. Recitativo. Allegro moderato - Allegro - Andante sostenuto
1.06 II. Finale. Allegro molto

Serenade, for violin and orchestra in A minor, Op.75
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig - April 1978
1.07 I. Andante con moto
1.08 II. Allegro moderato, alle marcia
1.09 III. Notturno
2.01 IV. Allegro energico e vivace

Violin Concerto No.3 in D minor, Op.58
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig - March 1978
2.02 I. Allegro energico
2.03 II. Adagio
2.04 III. Finale. Allegro molto

Scottish Fantasy, for violin & orchestra, Op.46
Venue: Gewandhaus,Leipzig - June 1977
2.05 Einleitung. Grave
2.06 I. Adagio cantabile
2.07 IIa. Scherzo. Allegro
2.08 IIb. Adagio
2.09 III. Andante sostenuto
2.10 IV. Finale. Allegro guerriero

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