Karl Goldmark; Antonín Dvořák - Violin Concertos (Nathan Milstein)

Information

Composer: Karl Goldmark; Antonín Dvořák

1. Dvořák - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53: I. Allegro ma non troppo - II. Adagio ma non troppo
2. Dvořák - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53: III. Finale. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo
3. Goldmark - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 28: I. Allegro moderato
4. Goldmark - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 28: II. Andante
5. Goldmark - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 28: III. Moderato - Allegretto

Nathan Milstein, violin
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (1, 2)
Harry Blech (3-5)

Date: 1966 (1, 2), 1967 (3-5)
Label: EMI

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

The Goldmark A minor Concerto inspired what was surely Nathan Milstein's finest hour in the recording studio, a reading of the utmost refinement: warm, effortlessly brilliant and displaying that unmistakably suave, silken tone. The work itself—which is perhaps just a trifle overlong—recalls both Reger and Dvorak, with wistful melodies, lilting rhythms and much busy counterpoint (principally in the outer movements). Heifetz made a distinguished acoustic 78rpm recording of the slow movement (RCA, 11/94), but for most collectors over the age of 40 this 1957 version stood alone in allowing instant access to some charming music.

-- Gramophone [11/1995, reviewing the Goldmark Concerto reissue on Testament]

-----------------------------

Really marvellous playing and interpretation, to the extent that there is no need to write more. But I can hardly write one sentence, add my initials and leave it at that!... [The Dvorak] is a wonderful performance. The slow movement is played with great intensity and I can imagine myself enjoying more simple, innocent playing, which could also be beautiful. But there are two ways of looking at most things and this is certainly a valid way. The finale is terrific.

-- Gramophone [4/1968, reviewing the Dvorak Concerto on LP]

-----------------------------

More reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Dvorak-Concerto-Minor-Goldmark/dp/B0007ZQQ6U
http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/e/emi67250a.php
http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-4515/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karl Goldmark (May 18, 1830 – January 2, 1915) was a Hungarian-born Viennese composer. Came from a large Jewish family, he briefly studied at the musical academy of Sopron, Vienna Technische Hochschule and then to the Vienna Conservatory, but was largely self-taught as a composer. Among Goldmark's best known works are the Rustic Wedding Symphony Op. 26, the opera Die Königin von Saba Op. 27, and the Violin Concerto No. 1 Op. 28. Goldmark's chamber music, influenced by Schumann's and Mendelssohn's, although critically well received in his lifetime, is now rarely heard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Goldmark

***

Antonín Dvořák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) was a Czech composer. He was the second Czech composer to achieve worldwide recognition, after Bedřich Smetana. Following Smetana's nationalist example, many of Dvořák's works show the influence of Czech folk music, such as his  two sets of Slavonic Dances, the Symphonic Variations, and the overwhelming majority of his songs. Dvořák wrote in a variety of forms: nine symphonies, ten operas, three concertos, several symphonic poems, serenades for string orchestra and wind ensemble, more than 40 works of chamber music, and piano music.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton%C3%ADn_Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k

***

Nathan Milstein (January 13, 1904 [O.S. December 31, 1903] – December 21, 1992) was a Russian Empire-born American virtuoso violinist. Widely considered one of the finest violinists of the 20th century, Milstein was known for his interpretations of Bach's solo violin works and for works from the Romantic period. He was also known for his long career: he performed at a high level into his mid 80s, retiring only after suffering a broken hand. A transcriber and composer, Milstein arranged many works for violin and wrote his own cadenzas for many concertos. He owned and played the 1716 "Goldman" Stradivarius.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Milstein

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!