Columbia Masterworks (CBS) MS 6062: Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn violin concertos from Isaac Stern
Columbia Masterworks (CBS) MS 6062
Tchaikovsky: Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35
Mendelssohn: Concerto in E minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 64
Isaac Stern, violin
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Eugene Ormandy, conductor
Recorded February 23-24, 1958, Broadwood Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
Matrix numbers: XXSM45691-1K / XXSM45692-1J
I recently picked this Columbia "six-eye" pressing of Isaac Stern performing these two classic violin concertos for $5 from Looney Tunes. The performances are ravishing. I wasn't familiar with this recording before and was quite impressed with Stern's virtuosity and musicianship. He infuses both concertos with passion and excitement in the outer movements as well as heartfelt lyricism in the slow movements. Throughout both works, he is well supported by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Soundwise, at least on my copy, it's a bit of a mixed bag. In the Tchaikovsky, both soloist and orchestra sound somewhat distant and restricted dynamically, which unfortunately doesn't do justice to the brilliance of their performance. The Mendelssohn, however, is presented far better; here, the sound is much fuller and more spacious, making for a far more enjoyable listening experience.
Excerpt from the Tchaikovsky concerto, third movement:
Excerpt from the Mendelssohn concerto, third movement:
Glamourous Broadwood Hotel ballroom sonics. Bought the 1980 CBS Maestro 21/1/81 (61942) - German matrices/Dutch pressing. Not overly different sound to SBRG 72083 (UK '68 pressing/matrices). The Tchaikovsky seems fine (full-blooded). Only have the Stern/Sibelius as 6-eye.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that your later pressings may have improved sonics, at least in the Tchaikovsky. Some of the later, flimsier CBS pressings that I've heard have sounded better (fuller sound, deeper bass) than the original 6- and 2-eye pressings.
DeleteDeliberate Mistake - confused Stern for Oistrakh - though have Stern/Sibelius with Beecham... Prokofiev VC1/2 (Stern/Ormandy) is rather good - UK SBRG originally used Columbia matrices.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard the Prokofiev recording before but will look out for it. The US CBS catalog number for that is MS 6635.
Delete