Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

1. Jascha Heifetz/Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Tchaikovsky & Brahms Violin Concertos

Once again, Heifetz brings his deep tone and unchallenged precision and virtuosity to this "virtuoso concerto" (Milstein's words). His first movement clocks in the fastest at 15:30, he gives a warm chilly interpretation of the 2nd canzonetta movement, and dashes through the 3rd mvmt with dead on precision and attitude galore. Although some might prefer a slower first movement, I think Tchaikovsky intended for the violinist to play happily in this movement, without over-sentimalizing. Heifetz brings his usual warm tone to the lyrical sections, and played with unmatched clarity and precision in the virtuosic sections. He uses the Auer version, which makes several changes, making the piece tougher, however I find Auer's changes more musically-accurate. Heifetz makes alterations to the cadenza, eg. scales in 6ths (super fast!) and an E major appergio done utilizing downbow staccato. Although Heifetz may sound rough at times, his intonation is chillingly the most precise of all and no one channels the virtuosity required for this piece better than Heifetz himself, who incidentally, performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at age 11, a performance which inspired Milstein to learn under Auer.

Various Gramophones stock this amazing CD in Hybrid SACD format, which can play in a computer or normal CD player too, around 28 bucks. just email shop@gramophone.com.sg or go down to their Capitol Center store in City Hall, they have it I remember.

Recording quality - 8/10 (the Brahms is rather dry, recorded in 1954, the infancy of stereo)
Performance - 10/10


2. Nathan Milstein/William Steinberg/Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - Legend-Nathan Milstein - Tchaikovsky/Glazunov Violin Concertos

Oh well. If you must have a second choice, it's Milstein. I have three Milstein's of this concerto, however Milstein's accuracy isn't on par with Heifetz's, some sections are done imho rather sloppily, however his third movement still stands head and shoulders above the others, excluding possibly Heifetz's own. The recorded sound isn't very good for the Tchaikovsky, however the Glazunov is imho the best. Milstein outplayed Heifetz, Perlman, Zimmermann, Rabin with his silvery tone and dead on intonation (the rest have shaky intonation around the "Allegro" starting, and Heifetz just scratches the chords :) Thus get this for a good Tchaikovsky, and a great Glazunov. Oh and there is a bonus DVD attached, with excerpts of Milstein's EMI Classic Archive DVD, with a couple of Bach partitas and Novacek's Perpetum Mobile?, arranged by Milstein himself. HMV sells this for $34 (killer), however Borders CD section has it for $28.


Recording quality - 8/10 (Tchaikovsky is a bit dry, though Glazunov is greatly recorded)
Performance - 9/10


OTHERS


Milstein did a second take with Abbado i believe, on DG. However it isnt as accurate as his 1957 version?, though it boasts greater, more vivid recording quality. His mono recording is too unclear for enjoyment, and his 3rd movement there features a poorly done splice. Kyung Wha Chung's acclaimed one with Previn is nonsense to me. She can't play double stops clearly, making a mess out of the virtuoso sections, though her great phrasing shines through in the lyrical sections, the poorly done virtuoso sections puts a glaring red mark on this recording. And the recorded sound is quite dry too, thought I like her Sibelius coupled with his, it is nowhere near Heifetz's own and the double stopping in the first movement is harsh and unclear.

I also have Gil Shaham's on DG, Shaham takes a serious view of the 1st movement, which in turn leaves it dry and without any excitement, which seriously kills the movement, despite his golden-clear tone and accurate intonation. His 3rd movement is taken fast, however I find his spiccato not crisp enough, and intonation is at times shaky. though the sibelius coupled together with his Tchaikovsky is splendid, one of the best on record without a doubt. However get Heifetz's as he triumphs over Shaham in his Living Stereo accounts of both concertos. This disc is available from HMV Orchard at $28.50

I have Joshua Bell's latest Tchaikovsky with MTT (michael tilson thomas!) and the Berlin Philharmonic. He takes a VERY slow and exagerrated first movement (19:30!), however his 2nd movement is splendidly done. The third movement suffers from no lack of virtuosity, however the recorded sound isn't very good here. and Bell isnt as crisp as say Heifetz or Milstein. This disc is available at Gramophone in Hybrid SACD format at around $30, or maybe the CD Audio version is available for $20 at Gramophone too.

I have Vengerov/Abbado. Stay away from it, that man isnt a second Heifetz, and his phrasing and intonation is seriously screwed up. Its coupled with a much-to-be-desired Glazunov, which leaves impressions of scratchy chords and screwedup intonation in my mind after listening to it. dont. buy. it.

I have two versions of Perlman, with Ormandy in the studio and with some Russian conductor in the famous "Live in Russia" CD and DVD. He takes a stormy hot-blooded Russian view in his account in Russia (lol), taking the virtuosic sections fast and precise. His studio recording is excellent too, however I do not think he matches up to Heifetz in terms of intonation and technique. Though this two recordings probably take a 3rd place in my Tchaikovsky recordings catalogue.

Surprisingly I have made no mention of David Oistrakh, the Russian who particularly liked the Tchaikovsky concerto, and played it for his 60th birthday concert. I find Oistrakh schmaltzing throughout the 1st movement totally unappealing for me, though his third movement is as fine as Milstein's. I just can't get Oistrakh...haha....lol. Stick with Heifetz, he brings this work across with an excellence of execution and musicality that few others can match.