Fritz Kreisler, Jascha Heifetz, Toscha Seidel

[Skeleton002]

*musicians,especially dirigents beware of facial,it is another field of art.***We are to

concentrate to hearing.***

[robotnik77]

It was also nice to see the pictures of Mischa Elman and Eugene-Auguste Ysaye, with his son, Antoine, even though Elman and Ysaye did not perform in this clip. Thank you.

[2ndviolinist]

Where did you get these pictures, they are amazing?

[closetviolinista]

I have many favorite videos, but this one I keep coming back to again and again. This is the gold-standard for phrasing, technique, bow-control and all around perfect musicianship. It gets me lost in music history from which I never want to return.

[241hnd]

What was the instrument Heifetz was playing at 4:13?

[dkurgano]

@241hnd

haha, not an instrument, that's his cane. looks kind of like a violin. he is being funny :)

[robotnik77]

Why the Elman pictures, if he's not playing in the clip? Hmmm

[petrof4056]

Very nice video with beautiful photos from 3 great violonists.

[2ndviolinist]

Kreisler - perfect. Heifetz - gunned vibrato, bow too heavy, sound a bit forced with some noise. To my ear his playing is mannered. Seidel - richer sound than Heifetz. Again vibrato too fast and a bit distracting. Certainly not on Kreisler's level. This comparison only somewhat instructive. Very different compositions. Heifetz only one playing a great composer's work, even if transcribed for violin. Amazing how well many such work. Kreisler certainly best composer of the 3.

[MrTheComposer]

The palm of beauty of sound goes to Kreisler...nothing is overdone, the vibrato never forced, no cesure in the bow changes. The sound of Heifetz to metallic to my taste, agressive bow. Seidl is perfect in all senses...

[bopkick5]

@MrTheComposer what a violinist

[poseuresque]

@MrTheComposer agreed. seidel was perfect. the quick vibrato and portamenti are artifacts of that wonderful russian school of phrasing. it's a pity more americans don't study the phrasing, just the bow technique. and too few of us really attempt to understand the technique there, just an approximation of the grip

[arthurkrieck]

Seidel outshines the other two greats here for me, in Korngold's ravishing music...with the composer himself at the piano!

[merrihew]

great combination of selections

[lordhenrywotton69]

seidel the best!!

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Heifetz's playing is so beautiful, it baffles me as to why people call him unemotional. Honestly, I've never understood it.

[dkurgano]

yes! he is quite possibly the pinnacle of emotive violin playing ;)

[TheTucsonJeff]

@AbsoluteZ3R0 People who call Heifetz unemotional aren't listening to the music. They're apparently disturbed by the fact that Heifetz never danced around on stage or made facial expressions like some of today's violinists (e.g. Joshua Bell). Heifetz chose to actually concentrate on what he was doing which, of course, made him a better violinist.

[harrynking777]

@AbsoluteZ3R0 This probably because people use their eyes and impressions rather than listening.

[ellegin88]

i thought ysaye only had an illegitimate son.

[dkurgano]

It is a rumor that Philip Newman was Ysaye and the Queen of Belgium's illegitimate son, but when people see Phillips actual father, they say he is an exact copy.

Ysaye did have a real son, Antoine, who Newman actually befriended for some time.

Newman was the last violinist ysaye heard before he died.

Menuhin calls Newman the reincarnation of Ysaye, though

[opus4]

This is a great "video": we hear three of history's greatest violinists. We see wonderful pictures of them, some surprisingly candid. Where did you get those pictures?!

At any rate, thank you!

In the near future, Opus 4 Studios will post three "videos" of the Toscha Seidel String Quartet performing the premiere of Ralph Matesky's String Quartet No. 1. It is a great performance of a great string quartet.

Lastly, I enjoyed your imaginative, insightful comments re these extraordinary musicians.

[mattriarch]

Did Kreisler write the piece he's playing?

[dkurgano]

yes

[pingumonsta]

oh my god... heifetz's un plus is too good..

i will carry on the grand tradition!

[closetviolinist]

It's on my short list of all time favorite recordings. The first time I heard it, I just about fell out of my chair it was so lovely. Thanks for sharing it and also your very apt descriptions. I quite agree.

[closetviolinist]

Heifetz' La plus que lente is unreal it's so perfect.

[lotrCoolguy]

one of the best violins I've ever heard

[BalthasarMA]

Oh man.............fantastic!

[marufi]

Bless your soul for sharing these pictures. I can't tell you how I feel seeing for the first time all of these 'new' and amazing pictures of my favorites.

[marius312]

Great pictures!!! Where did you get them from?

[dkurgano]

Library of Congress mostly

[pedromiszewski]

woww... thanksss!!!

[lightningfax]

Kreisler, Heifetz, and Seidel...

Quite possibly the three greatest violinists in the world ever.

[warwurm21]

great ! Thx a lot. Do you know who is playing chess at 7.20min ?

[dkurgano]

it is toscha seidel and someone who i cannot identify :(

[monelleny]

No, but it looks to be the same person who is with him in the first photo on the youtube slide show for Toscha Seidel - Korngold Much Ado suite - III.  Intriguing!

[monelleny]

Figured it out! It's Mischa Elman, who was also a chess enthusiast.

[monelleny]

It's Mischa Elman, who was also a chess enthusiast.

[jiangqichen]

great