Heifetz-Mendelssohn Violin Concerto E Minor (Op. 64)-Part 1

[danmanviolinist97]

9 people just don't get it

[mrbeng111]

i love how he makes it so simple when he plays this piece, going the same speed instead of slowing down like all the modern violinists do today to get schmaltzy slides...

[BabylonWhore666]

TETRIS! :P

Sorry :)

[43irek]

jak slucham go to przypomina mi sie ksiazka "BIKINI " wisniewskiego !

[mrmaki7771]

Hey dad, goin out to troll 9 ppl!

[ajkran2]

listening to this re-inspires me to pick up the violin again. trying to play it makes me realize why i stopped playing in the first place.

[shakup99]

If god is coming down to earth from heaven, it would sound like that.

[ksviewerx]

Exquisite phrasing, tonal colour and emotion!

[BaboonBassoon]

toooooo fast! 

[m16eliav]

great from israel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Asterixarcher]

Heifetz made his public debut playing this piece when he was 7 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!

Google it.

[H2QY38]

バイオリン協奏曲数ある中で、私はメンコンが一番の出来ではない­かと思います。３８歳という若さでメンデルスゾーンは亡くなって­いますが、この曲はその２年ほど前つまり晩年に書かれたもののよ­うです。

優雅にして平明。スムーズに展開していく曲調。完成度の高さは揺­るぎないものです。

これから先、メンコンを超えるバイオリン協奏曲が出てきますかね­。

[kristeemc2russia]

He reminds me of Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes in that pic! Strange that Holmes played the violin as well! LOL!

[beautifuldana]

Marvelous!Jascha.....

[pianissimo5]

I adore Heifetz! He just sets that tempo and says, hurry up, orchestra!

[opa807]

The best ever !!!!

[renazinho100]

fera!!!!!!

o que pele e considerado no futebol ele e do violino...

fenômeno...



[beautifuldana]

Miraculous!Thank you,JASCHA!

[bloodmoonblacksky]

this is one of the first violin cencertos that i like

[perris78]

ghashi don't give up keep trying

[mrbeng111]

hey justin bieber, go fuck yourself, for god sake you do not even write your own songs yet mendelsshon wrote this. you do not have anything on music nor do have anything on the whole world not even your mexican girlfriend. heifetz = magnificent mendelsshon= awesomeness you = terri... just go suck on your dick in a corner

[mrmaki7771]

@mrbeng111 i don't think justin can do that because of two obvious reasons, 1) he never got a boner, and 2) he doesn't have a dick to start with! thumbs up the original message my reply so other normal ppl can see it!

[Madog98]

Oh shoot 1:50 .D

[londononline]

Beautiful!! simply; the rich tone of Mr. JH is incredible!!!!

[bkeay100]

Heifitz is so Clean and Concise

Menuhin is great. but Heifitz is magnificent.... THE STANDARD

[ghashi12]

Everytime i hear this i close my eyes and I imagine I'm playing it ... but then i pick up the violin and it's a different story

[gregbboy619]

@ghashi12 Optimise it !

[mrmaki7771]

@ghashi12 my goal is to learn the first movement by the end of october 2011 (written in september 30 2011)

[midiborg]

@mrmaki7771

He was Hebrew, not to confuse with Jewish. People are sometimes such bigots when it comes to religion versus ethnicity. We Jews have good understanding of music because of suffering and rejection and pain and hard work to understand art.. You say you want to learn this passage by certain date. Email me if you do not mind talk to European college educated Yemeni Jew that plays classical music for last 35 years.

[andreahigginscat]

@midiborg Hmmm.Never quite heard it put like that before.I think I'll just enjoy the concerto.But thanks.

[ksviewerx]

The sparing use of vibrato at the very beginning actually makes it blend even better in tune with the orchestra providing a drone like background. Too much vibrato can sound out of tune next to the drone background.

[bmady99]

soooo great...

[Milky111wtf]

This is THE recording of this piece.

[liranrok1]

perfection!

[dolaimosphinxace]

I will say it's the BEST violin :P

[barbrastreissand6]

This is more than just brilliant,it's "molliant" :D

[ussenterprisecaptian]

who would dislike this?

[heyhellosalutation]

@ussenterprisecaptian idiot hipster d-bags that like stupid music with no rhyme or reason like most of the mainstream music these days/

[nmadhusu89]

i could play like this

[Zractor]

@nmadhusu89 any1 can play this, but it takes practice to become one of the best.

[nmadhusu89]

@Zractor i was bein sarcastic

[fan1892]

I love this tempo...very powerful.....

[Yutuber69]

Every artist lends both their particular style and interpretation to their performance. Some interpret pieces quite literally, others more abstractly. This is their signature and appeal will surely vary. However I am glad both the varied interpretation and the original ideal for performance of same exist. How bland would the world of art (music) be without either?

[beta2ca]

try to find on youtube "ctc - ipoteze". romanian hip hop song that have a part from this song innit

[livelaughlovehelina]

its okayyyyy......................­..

[outoftunefiddler]

See the (full length) movie "They Shall Have Music..Heifetz at his best/// Its on Truveo or aol...

[outoftunefiddler]

oh...It's on aol......Truveo...

[outoftunefiddler]

I want to share the movie, called "They Shall Have Music" with you. In it, we get to see Heifetz performing several pieces. The wonderful and unique thing, here, is that the cinematography is GREAT.....Sometimes (often) there is a close up of the Maestro's left hand and bow arm. You can actually judge the angle of the bow! In several shots, closeups so good you could mark the fingering in the sheetmusic if you had in front of you. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful movie!!!

[jonnykam]

Heifetz is plainly the best violin player ever, imho. But I have to admit that Ferras and Mintz overperform him in the Mendelssohn violin concerto. In particular Ferras who is an amazingly ignored and underestimated interpreter.

[violinoamore]

If music was sport or race, it would be a hot candidate for a golden medal. But (fortunately) it is not ... I much prefer people who play it much more musically and with "soul", poetry and lyrics ... I don t like this at all ...

[Edhelion34]

Excellent! Heifetz always new how to keep an audience alive and involved. This is an excellent pace for this song, not to slow, but not incredibly fast. It really brings out the huge emotion in this peace. The slower interpretations just feel like something is missing from the music. The orchestra that plays as the accompianment also brought out the emotion in the piece as well. Really good, confident, sound.

[Musiclver27]

So fast! Heifetz is amazing here, of course. But my interpretation of this has always been more slow and sensual.

[legomyeggo123]

you must understand that at this time, these great violinists had to interpret the music themselves without any guidance so they had to make everything up, unlike now, we have a basic outline of how its suppose to sound like and everyone just, in a way (style-wise), copies each other

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

It's a shame that this is the first recording I ever heard of the Mendelssohn. Because this was my first impression of what the concerto was supposed to sound like, I have since found that every other recording is too slow for my taste, when in fact Heifetz is taking it over tempo. This is still my favorite interpretation of the concerto, although I do believe that Menuhin plays the cadenza with more fire in the video of him playing it here on youtube.

[ericgable]

This music in my opinion is suppose to be around this tempo. I think Heifetz played it great, he brought the thrill out of the most. He was made it seem more alive, and stronger than most violinists do for this piece. Dont say he is playing it fast, because that is personal opinion, and one cares. Just sit back and listen to a great violinist! and appreciate what he done for us all. "Raised the technical bar" I love this guy (= alos Milstein!!!

[rubinsteino]

I think he plays the piece too fast, and so the "appassionato" doesn' t come out

[TempoFurioso]

As usual... with his fast tempo... but I actually liked it

[Classicleboy]

Why does it say Isaac Stern played this in the audio details...?

Has anyone else noticed this? Isaac Stern - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

[PaulMaccasBiggestFan]

I feel the Heifetz's version, especially with his accompanying orchestra, portrayed the power that was intended for the piece. It is just as emotional, but it portrays a different feel.

[NonDairyYogurt]

I don't think he took it that fast.... i just don't like how he structured each note... sounds... like non accented marcatos (excuse my lack of a brain, i'm a player, not a scholar) instead of the smooth and romantic sound i'm used to this being played... A "funner" vengerovish interpretation

[ZappyRulez]

Amazing. <33 :D

[creamywhippingcream]

he took this really fast!

[felix7991]

Care not of the player at this level, more of the realization as a whole.

[ygelman]

realy good!

[hellboi9912]

i agree with the tempo he took it.

I realize its a romantic piece, but i still like heifetz's style

[brtmom]

amrocks7, Can you play this better? I doubt it!!

[Baytuch]

he's right up there with Oistrakh!

[symfotroll]

@Baytuch :))) In his wettest dream Oistrakh could not play like that. And he knew it.

[Baytuch]

@symfotroll I honestly prefer Oistrakh, but they're both excellent violinists!

[nimalakers24]

@symfotroll you are right.. this girl in my orchestra class, said heifetz is not the best, and i said you are on crack.

[IvanTheCat]

The speed of his interpretation is actually really interesting. It makes it feel mightier, yet it still has the begging and pleading quality that the piece naturally holds.

[IvanTheCat]

The piece feels more allegro instead of the common stance of andante that many violinists have.

[shadowolfloner]

woah

[personof11777]

The triplets sound amazing so fast

[shadowolfloner]

0:15

[malehawk]

Up to mid sixties was a fashion or trend to play it fast, i have many vinyl from mid 40's till mid 60's to support this. I dont know if it contradicts Mendelssohn feelings...does anyone? Doesn't feel good to listen to?

[ummhea]

omg those ads x_X I cannot enjoy Heifetz with some weirdo looking make a baby commercial triggering my uncanny valley T_T_T_T_T_

[hflvx]

I've never heard this being played so fast! But not bad, not bad. Heifetz's speedy interpretation does show something a lot different and something very very interesting.

[kraidlike]

reading comments on youtube about these great works are really funny to read. Everybody has such a distinct opinion, and no one seems to be able to agree. The piece is magnificent. Yes, Heifetz seems to embody his own character more then Mendelssohn's, but Jesus Christ he's good. Nobody can argue that he isnt.

[ckrat67]

heifetz is the best NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

[raoultak]

Rush rush rush....eager to be the fastest and maybe the best. But is he? Is this music or a rendition of Heihetz's great technique? So many violinst tricks to impress the audience. Is this the tender and genuine performance of Mendelsohn's feelings? I dare to doubt it.

[frankcisyarmi]

Jascha Heifetz !!!!! gracias por existir por tu virtusismo por tu musica,por siempre Jascha!!!!!

[Hypsan]

Heifetz and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor -- The Creme de la' Creme!!

[ummhea]

@Hypsan it's the creme de la creme's creme de la creme's creme de la creme.

IT's the regular creme's creme, and that creme's creme.

Basically this is best creme de la cremes go.

[jqwertyx]

mitic mendellsohn!!!

[streetseatcars]

Personally, I like this tempo a lot better than other versions; the fast tempo suits it.

[Ingenue001]

he plays fast because he can.

[KyokushinNidan]

my god, this is good.....

[Mrtchaikovskyful]

to greenrate...if you can play this or anything better or even half as well as heifetz then by all means, critique..but if not, enjoy the music

[halneufmille]

This kind of comment is so lame. Like if you can't have any musical taste or say something intelligent about music if you don't play an instrument.

[bluegrooves]

this piece of music is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! mendelssohnnn!!!!!

[marisa993]

maravilloso

[mannycabrito]

i do not doubt that he was feeling the music that he was playing, and i also think this tempo is only too fast if we compare it with the "more typical" interpretation. the technique is just perfect.

in my opinion, it is a bit too fast. haha. :D

[gvn933]

to greenrate...... I cannot believe your absurd comment about Heifetz's playing. I do hope your a child, otherwise your a very ignorant adult with absolutely no musical understanding.

[yaeli1967]

To greenrate: Would you care to post an example of this piece's performance in the tempo you consider a correct one?

[PeperinoPomorino]

impecable

[JaschaHeifetz1902]

You really don't know shit about the players of the 20th century do you?

[greenrate]

Nice manners you have. Is this the way you interact with everyone in life?

[CornDoctor]

OMG HEIFETZ!! can you show me how to do that thing you did in paganini's caprice 24! please :D

p.s yes i know. (to your question that you will be asking me)

[EnvyPerse]

yep! his video playing caprice 24 also blew me! ridiculously skilled

[piggy19940306]

I think he is most brilliant playing Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin.

But his skills is impeccable.

[FredericoLourenco]

hifetz in this concerto is playing like a robot I don't think that's excellent. mendelsohn violin concerto is a piec that must be played with much passion " allegro molto apassionato" ;)

[jguar17944]

What?? not passionate?!? he sounds like a maniac!!

[parakeet309]

O_O

[paradoxicus]

¡Excelente!.

[ryanpeng84]

i prefer Perlman's version...

[fatoven]

pena q nao mostra o video, pq é a melhor execuçao desse concerto q eu ja ouvi.

[LordMgls]

Pois.

[amrocks7]

Heifetz is one of my favorite violinists of all time, but he does this piece no justice. This style of music is just not for him...Personally, I think his most brilliant moments are with the Rondo Capriccioso and Lithuanian works. I still don't understand the controversy over harmonics on the E string? Harmonics are stylistic. Someone of Heifetz's caliber doesn't play harmonics because he is "unable to play the real note"

[wtfpwndzor]

@amrocks7 on the topic of harmonics, its all based on interpretation, theres so many diff ways to account for the sound a harmonic note will make and really depends on the player and the way they interpret that section of the piece,

i find that alot of modern violinists over emphasize the harmonics whereas most of the older violinists preferred raw power by playing the 'real notes', i myself prefer a balanced combination of both, hate when harmonics are unnecessarily used and sound out of place

[milstein91]

@amrocks7 actually the harmonic use in th e string quite 2 or 3 times in the 1 page is strange

[goethethegreat]

@amrocks7 Not for him? dont be ridiculous. This is a brilliant performance.

[stranzenight]

@amrocks7 Yes I agree with you, Heifetz is one of the most important violin player, but this concerto is not for him. About a good recent version, we can quote Renaud Capucon or Sarah Chang, according to me of course !

[billyguns2]

Heifetz had the most perfect intonation of any violinist I ever heard; this tempo is a shade fast for my taste. I prefer Szeryng with Dorati, which also sounds more intimate and is even more brilliantly recorded.

[violaBob90]

Brilliant, but without a deep soul

[LuminusX]

You may find playing harmonics on the e because you're used to playing Western pieces.

[Pooperscooper1112]

harmonics on the E are brilliant

[kimjamin1]

@Pooperscooper1112 lol... harmonics are throughout the violin... not just E, every string in every position. there are 8 "real harmonics" on the violin.

[wingklow]

I agree with Jedum. Playing harmonics on the E is disturbing.

[123mortimer456]

I think he plays the E as a harmonic the first time so he gets a strong contrast when he plays it with full vibrato the second time.

[Jedum]

what!!??? why does he play the harmonics when he plays E!!! it´s so easy for him to play the real note cmon!!...

[Jamesznw]

I also agree with Jedum. I've played violin for 7 years and the harmonic on the E doesn't sound right.

[vintageviolinist]

so haunting, so beautiful....

[valekykyou]

It is so hard to play and even worse to obtain a beautiful sound in the violin taht the only word to describe Heifetz is genius...

[agentepiterson]

wow @ the pace

[BiomekanikSok]

the best...

[Tophood96]

OMG awesome

wish i can play this somedae....

[morris1030]

i love the purity of intonation and speed,aggressiveness and space he creats. technically a wizard. high notes did not record well in those days. heard him in concert. amazing.

[nevitsnidur]

The comment I made about Heifetz's sound has been made by others as well. Perlman, in the documentary The Art of the Violin, says there was an edge to his sound close up, which comes through somewhat in the recordings, but was not generally audible in the concert hall. Taste in music is a very individual matter. There are far more important things in the world than getting incensed over who one things is the best violinist.

[milstein91]

@nevitsnidur men if u care more about economics you are in the wrong video,go watch bloomberg

[nidurnevets]

@milstein91 I don't understand what your comment. What do you mean?

[milstein91]

@nidurnevets i mean if ur not interested discussing music,go watch bloomber(the economics tv)

[nidurnevets]

@milstein91 My reply should have said I don't understand your comment. What do you mean? Sorry for the typo

[nidurnevets]

@milstein91 What I object to, and it isn't most of the comments on this page as much as other such pages, is the nastiness that sometimes takes place. When people say this or that musician "sucks" or other such comments it is a little ridiculous. Or, someone answers, in a sarcastic and demeaning manner, a comment made by me, or someone else, it is uncalled for. . After all, we are talking about great music, and great musicians.

[damodrummer1]

@nevitsnidur

indeed well said, I am constantly amused by just how "incensed" people get over various detail and of how people treat music like sport, shouting (in text) about who's the best this or that. Missing the point me thinks. I guess that's what these little text boxes are for though.

[nevitsnidur]

My father was a violinist in one of the great symphony orchestras in the time of Heifetz, and the other twentieth century greats, so he heard them all. He, and apparently many of his colleagues, had tremendous admiration for Heifetz. My father maintained that in real life his sound was absolutely unique; he felt that recording did not do justice to his tone. Although he did not agree with his interpretations of some works, on balance, he considered him the greatest of the great violinists.

[tifahuang]

omg!! ls that so? Did ur father meant that Heifetz's sound were much better than what we heard from here? Im speechless....

[MIchaelYiochalas]

The technical parts are really nice but the main theme is not at all expressive in this interpretation.I prefer Ivry or Oistrakh(of course!).The ideal would be to combine the sound and clarity of Oistrakh with Heifetz's speed and agressiveness.

[manolly]

Superb technique... I like his expression. Simple, not romantic. Exactly what Mendelssohn needs for my taste.

Now and then too fast for my taste... sometimes faster than the orchestra. ;)

[farenheit451]

Thats really the beauty of Heifetz though, the fact he can go in and out of the rythem and still remain in time. Stylistically beautiful in my opinion

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

I find it odd that you say his playing is unromantic because I've always thought of Heifetz as the MOST romantic sounding of all violinists.

[uptilthesky]

A bit faster than other versions, perhaps less expressive but it's kinda more dynamic

[ifind2com]

funny... he was the best violinist of all time. The One.

[uptilthesky]

What's so funny? Whether he's the best is only a matter of opinion. Even if he's best overall, doesn't mean he plays the best interpretation of everything.

[MIchaelYiochalas]

You know,music is not about worshiping idols.I personally don't like Heifetz.Ok,his technique is impressive but that's all.Oistrakh,Kogan and Kavakos have much better sound and equally(or more)impressive technique.

[182278]

i agree with you that i've never fallen in love with any of heifetz's recordings. but i accepted that his legendary status meant that his live performances must have been magical. still, this isn't one of my favorite recordings of this piece.

[billyguns2]

Heifetz is magnificent, of course, but for my taste I prefer the magnifcently musical Szeryng/Dorati version on YouTube; I think their tempo is more sensible, too. Heifetz and Munch were both volatile, quixotic, and high strung natures.

[mskmsk98]

Ohhhh I love this concerto so much. Violin is the best!

[mannycabrito]

aaaaaaah. i love this concerto soo much.

but in my opinion he is taking it way too fast

we all know he was a virtuoso, no need for a really fast molto apasionato. :(

[SegoviasServant]

But yes but yes you can't perceive Mendelsohn without apassionato. Heifetz is my personal favourite. As Romanticism is perception and expression of individual emotions. He is doing perfectly fine (for me). Yet otherwise we agree - Ilove this concerto so much too

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Have to say it but hearing this is like making love to my ears! lol!

[ChickstersHideaway18]

The Boston Symphonic Orchastra. Nice choice. Now you are truly being a gun slinger with Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn can make love to your ears, but i get the rest...Deal? lmao!!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

I am so red!! lol!

*bites lip* ssshh okay *buries face in your chest* Getting me trouble lol!!

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I know that came off a little like Tarzan so bare with me. Poor red darlin. lol

[MysticRubyFaerie]

I know a bit more romantic jeez! It would be new giving my body to someone (So red! lol)

LMAO We're discussing this on a video oh my god I'm cracking up!

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I know! But fortunantly this video wont get 1000 views a day. Most of Y.T nation couldn't spell Mendelssohn, much less appreiciate him here. I better not comment about the rest of your post....you need to change back to your original shade, pronto! lol

[MysticRubyFaerie]

LOL That's right plus side downside our comments could be exposed for weeks maybe even months haha lol

And funny thing is I don't care! *jumps ontop of you..........* :)

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I love it when you jump on top of me! But see i would turn you around instantly on the ground and you would be helpless to my every whim ha!.  By the way youtube has that new "remove" feature so no matter how bad it got, we could always delete posts.

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Oh pish posh that remove button is for wussies! lol!

I'm not regretting my public affection for you no matter how red I get lol! *beams red* :)

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I agree. It is for wusses. Glad you agree. Our public affection is not reduced to just one or two vids. Its all over the place!  lol

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Like around 300 videos or so within the last 10 months? lol!

Love you!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Tarzan?! haha!

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I like you burried in my chest by the way! lol

[MysticRubyFaerie]

I would love too! I'm a cuddler alright lol

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I bet you're an "all star" cuddler. I would have you wrapped around me like a anaconda if i had my way!! lol

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Wrapped around you like an anaconda! Yes you described me perfectly lol!

[ChickstersHideaway18]

I knew it! With all due respect to Mendelssohn, the wrap around effect shall be you're Opus! lol. Whew! the cheeze, the cheeze!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Wrap around effect huh? Is that a new technique for classical music? lol! Yes the cheeze the cheeze!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Forget the cheeze. I'm wrapped around you like a snake!