We go back now and reclaim the baby that might have been thrown out with the bathwater, but don't forget Heifetz' older contemporaries were Toscanini and Horowitz, whose "low drag coefficient" performances were revelations: this was the age of revisionist performances.
Keep in mind the historical context of the Heifetz phenomenon, the cobwebs of what we would consider 'quaint' Victorian performance traditions that were being 'cleared away,' the Masters being looked at with the clear eye of modernism; and the phenomenal technical mastery of a generation who cut their teeth on what used to be almost unplayable (and complained about, in Brahms' Concerto's case...)
This is one of the most passionate and expressive Brahms sonatas ever recorded. And--that is part of the "vintage" sound the recording. Rhythmically, structurally crystalline playing. He captures the "Vivace" (=life/lively). One has the feeling that every single note is like a delicate pearl. Absolutely the greatest violin playing and music making. A temple of artistry.
@downtoearthwildguy I couldn't agree more! Heifetz does a superb job with this sonata, as well as the Grieg sonata that came from the same CD. I have recordings on vinyl of Isaac Stern playing the Brahms sonatas as well, and he does a remarkable job, too, but not quite as special as this recording, in my opinion.
In response to the "HEY this isn't a waltz:" sure it is! In some part, anyway. Brahms was deeply enamored of J. Strauss, and waltz rhythms permeate many of his pieces, including the first movements of the first two violin sonatas. That said, I do find this recording too fast and casual. It's not only a waltz; this tempo, combined with super-close miking of the violin, tends to smooth out the tension of the 3 against 2. I like Brahms more generous, but there's still something to learn here.
All the versions I've heard have been good- the things we all tend to look at and compare are the individual artist's different styles... heifetz is very characteristic, and it's the same with the likes of Mutter, Rabin (although I haven't seen this from him), any of the Galamian students vs Chung, Vengerov and some of the newer violinists.
They are ALL good. It just depends on what you like. :) I tend to like this piece little slower, but it is marked vivace, as my teacher pointed out...
His rendition of this sonata suits the mood well. I really like his interpretation of this sonata because of its simplicity and his elegant tone. Some says his tempo is quite fast. But for me, his choice tempo is good for this sonata and I quite agree with jonianviolinist comment about this video. Making this sonata more expressive is too much because the structure of this composition is already beautiful and expressive. All you have to do is balancing.
Incredibly beautiful sound, but I agree with with bennyboost, overall it sounds somewhat rushed and "matter of fact" (appropriate description) like a popular tune instead of savored for the magnificent romantic composition it surely is. The piano playing doesn't satisfy. I know of no definitive recording of this great work. Ideas?
@fredhainen LOL! Yeah, I don't know how anyone could dislike Heifetz's sound here. It is true beauty. Not everyone has to think this is the best version, but it certainly qualitifies as a great version.
i tend to agree with the 'mrthecomposer's' comments about everything sounding the same by heifetz yet everybody making exceptions just because he is 'heifetz'. Yes his sound quality/intonation is perfect but this whole movement just sounds so rushed. The way he plays the 2nd subject at 1:17 is so 'matter of fact' and likewise in the recap at 6:20, which I believe is meant to be one of the most beautiful points in the piece.... esp with the piano counter melody, but alas, who am i to judge...
@bennyboost I do agree that Heifetz does tend to play things a bit fast, especially his Brahms concerto. But, I still haven't found anyone else who has played this sonata better. I just love his version of it. Oistrakh and Stern have done very very good jobs with it as well. But, I think the nostalgic sound quality from the old transfer just gives it a magical touch.
Brahms rewritten by Heifetz . À la WIeniawski. Every thing alike. No matter if it is Bach or Vieuxtemps, as long as Heifetz is first and the rest, noone will notice HEY this is not a waltz !!!
genmaximus110 - Thanks for posting this. I'm a big fan of Brahm's violin sonatas and this must rank with the best interpretations ever. I've always liked Perlman's approach, which I find similar to Heifetz's. When I consider how extraordinary is Brahm's chamber music, I am struck by the thought that he's said to have destroyed dozens and dozens of works he felt weren't worthy. Let's hope he didn't throw out any that were just "average," because the loss would be enormous.
guidolche - Why do you ask who the pianist is? Possibly you're new to YouTube, but you really didn't need to ask that question. If you'd just looked to the right of the above picture, you'd have seen this caption: "Jascha Heifetz playing Brahms' sonata for violin and piano no. 1 Movement 1 Piano: Emanuel Bay" It was put there by genmaximus110 for your benefit.
In my opinion, this is the loveliest version of this piece. Heiffitz has the power adn the delicate touch, as well as the technical brilliance to make this version sing with the melodic lines that Brahms seems to have intended, adn which characterize most of his other work. Slowing it downplays the melodic lines.
i think at this tempo you really gain the piano. slower interpretations ive heard sort of diminish the role of the accompanist. perhaps the fault of all of those is in fact the accompanist's. then again it's supposed to be an uptempo piece. this brings out the lighter less traditional side of brahms
thats the point my friend.....heifetz can express everything at this tempo.....and actually i find the tempo very good.....this 1st movement of the sonata is very expressive but it is light and it needs to be fluent....
I think Heifetz plays this piece wonderfully. I find nothing wrong with it. I've never found another version I like as much. Stern and Oistrakh play it beautifully, as well, but there's something about this recording that I just love.
I know I was lazy on the description of this when I uploaded it, but I also forgot the pianist on my uploaded version of Grieg's violin sonata which was taken from the same CD. I'll have to get back to you on that one.
You're welcome. Heifetz does tend to play everything too fast, but this was the first recording I ever heard of this piece and I got really used to how he plays it. Moreover, I just love the tenderness and warmth of his sound compared to any other recording of this work.
The speed seems to make some parts a bit bombastic, almost, but those pizz chords! I've never heard them sound so great! I'm not much a fan of Heifetz but this recording is an exception.
I think this piece ends that silly debate of whether or not Heifetz played coldly. If you can't feel the passion, then you must have a cold heart yourself.
We go back now and reclaim the baby that might have been thrown out with the bathwater, but don't forget Heifetz' older contemporaries were Toscanini and Horowitz, whose "low drag coefficient" performances were revelations: this was the age of revisionist performances.
wistaphil 1 month ago
Keep in mind the historical context of the Heifetz phenomenon, the cobwebs of what we would consider 'quaint' Victorian performance traditions that were being 'cleared away,' the Masters being looked at with the clear eye of modernism; and the phenomenal technical mastery of a generation who cut their teeth on what used to be almost unplayable (and complained about, in Brahms' Concerto's case...)
wistaphil 1 month ago
All of these long responses to express one common thought: Beautiful.
RSdaymen 4 months ago
This is one of the most passionate and expressive Brahms sonatas ever recorded. And--that is part of the "vintage" sound the recording. Rhythmically, structurally crystalline playing. He captures the "Vivace" (=life/lively). One has the feeling that every single note is like a delicate pearl. Absolutely the greatest violin playing and music making. A temple of artistry.
downtoearthwildguy 7 months ago 2
@downtoearthwildguy I couldn't agree more! Heifetz does a superb job with this sonata, as well as the Grieg sonata that came from the same CD. I have recordings on vinyl of Isaac Stern playing the Brahms sonatas as well, and he does a remarkable job, too, but not quite as special as this recording, in my opinion.
genmaximus110 7 months ago
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rkotcher 9 months ago
In response to the "HEY this isn't a waltz:" sure it is! In some part, anyway. Brahms was deeply enamored of J. Strauss, and waltz rhythms permeate many of his pieces, including the first movements of the first two violin sonatas. That said, I do find this recording too fast and casual. It's not only a waltz; this tempo, combined with super-close miking of the violin, tends to smooth out the tension of the 3 against 2. I like Brahms more generous, but there's still something to learn here.
fiddlefrog 1 year ago
All the versions I've heard have been good- the things we all tend to look at and compare are the individual artist's different styles... heifetz is very characteristic, and it's the same with the likes of Mutter, Rabin (although I haven't seen this from him), any of the Galamian students vs Chung, Vengerov and some of the newer violinists.
They are ALL good. It just depends on what you like. :) I tend to like this piece little slower, but it is marked vivace, as my teacher pointed out...
aarazra 1 year ago
His rendition of this sonata suits the mood well. I really like his interpretation of this sonata because of its simplicity and his elegant tone. Some says his tempo is quite fast. But for me, his choice tempo is good for this sonata and I quite agree with jonianviolinist comment about this video. Making this sonata more expressive is too much because the structure of this composition is already beautiful and expressive. All you have to do is balancing.
Jdjocampo 1 year ago
Incredibly beautiful sound, but I agree with with bennyboost, overall it sounds somewhat rushed and "matter of fact" (appropriate description) like a popular tune instead of savored for the magnificent romantic composition it surely is. The piano playing doesn't satisfy. I know of no definitive recording of this great work. Ideas?
southwestpiano 1 year ago
you idiots. you would not know good violin playing if you heard it. he even tunes better than you!
fredhainen 1 year ago 5
@fredhainen LOL! Yeah, I don't know how anyone could dislike Heifetz's sound here. It is true beauty. Not everyone has to think this is the best version, but it certainly qualitifies as a great version.
genmaximus110 1 year ago 4
i tend to agree with the 'mrthecomposer's' comments about everything sounding the same by heifetz yet everybody making exceptions just because he is 'heifetz'. Yes his sound quality/intonation is perfect but this whole movement just sounds so rushed. The way he plays the 2nd subject at 1:17 is so 'matter of fact' and likewise in the recap at 6:20, which I believe is meant to be one of the most beautiful points in the piece.... esp with the piano counter melody, but alas, who am i to judge...
bennyboost 1 year ago
@bennyboost I do agree that Heifetz does tend to play things a bit fast, especially his Brahms concerto. But, I still haven't found anyone else who has played this sonata better. I just love his version of it. Oistrakh and Stern have done very very good jobs with it as well. But, I think the nostalgic sound quality from the old transfer just gives it a magical touch.
genmaximus110 1 year ago
Beautiful music beautifully played! One of the truly great fiddlers!
tachuman 1 year ago
Brahms rewritten by Heifetz . À la WIeniawski. Every thing alike. No matter if it is Bach or Vieuxtemps, as long as Heifetz is first and the rest, noone will notice HEY this is not a waltz !!!
MrTheComposer 1 year ago
@MrTheComposer I agree Heifetz isn't the best violinist ever, but the man was talented. And, he plays this piece beautifully.
genmaximus110 1 year ago
@genmaximus110 agree with whom that Heifetz isn't the best violinist ever?? No one has ever said that (at least no one who matters)
serafinichess 1 year ago
David Oistrakh's version is the best for me, but I can't find here...
mauefu 2 years ago
genmaximus110 - Thanks for posting this. I'm a big fan of Brahm's violin sonatas and this must rank with the best interpretations ever. I've always liked Perlman's approach, which I find similar to Heifetz's. When I consider how extraordinary is Brahm's chamber music, I am struck by the thought that he's said to have destroyed dozens and dozens of works he felt weren't worthy. Let's hope he didn't throw out any that were just "average," because the loss would be enormous.
Galantski 2 years ago
does anyone know who is the pianist playing with Heifetz here?
guidolche 2 years ago
Emanuel Bay
genmaximus110 2 years ago
guidolche - Why do you ask who the pianist is? Possibly you're new to YouTube, but you really didn't need to ask that question. If you'd just looked to the right of the above picture, you'd have seen this caption: "Jascha Heifetz playing Brahms' sonata for violin and piano no. 1 Movement 1 Piano: Emanuel Bay" It was put there by genmaximus110 for your benefit.
Galantski 2 years ago
In my opinion, this is the loveliest version of this piece. Heiffitz has the power adn the delicate touch, as well as the technical brilliance to make this version sing with the melodic lines that Brahms seems to have intended, adn which characterize most of his other work. Slowing it downplays the melodic lines.
drkathyday 2 years ago 2
i think at this tempo you really gain the piano. slower interpretations ive heard sort of diminish the role of the accompanist. perhaps the fault of all of those is in fact the accompanist's. then again it's supposed to be an uptempo piece. this brings out the lighter less traditional side of brahms
poseuresque 2 years ago
and who are you calling accompanist? :) this is chamber music...But by the way actually, who is the pianist???
chiv78 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
way too fast I know is heifetz but in such an expressive piece you cant express everythin at this tempo
bastianloewe 2 years ago
thats the point my friend.....heifetz can express everything at this tempo.....and actually i find the tempo very good.....this 1st movement of the sonata is very expressive but it is light and it needs to be fluent....
jonianviolinist 2 years ago 9
I think Heifetz plays this piece wonderfully. I find nothing wrong with it. I've never found another version I like as much. Stern and Oistrakh play it beautifully, as well, but there's something about this recording that I just love.
genmaximus110 2 years ago
ya, I am used to hearing this much slower and heavier. This version makes it sound...jazzy. O_O
I prefer his rendition of other songs, for this one, I will go to wolfgang david :)
shintee 2 years ago
You are completely right. Tempo is not a personal thing, it's bound to the music.
mariusfelix 2 years ago
you can, you just dont like it because its faster...listen to how he plays not the speed
oldgoat5 2 years ago
Have never heard him play this before. It's great. Who is the pianist? What year is the recording?
ealing40 3 years ago
I know I was lazy on the description of this when I uploaded it, but I also forgot the pianist on my uploaded version of Grieg's violin sonata which was taken from the same CD. I'll have to get back to you on that one.
genmaximus110 3 years ago
Well anyway it is great.
ealing40 3 years ago
thanks soo much for the recording. A bit too fast for my taste but otherwise a great performance!
snookersabina 3 years ago
You're welcome. Heifetz does tend to play everything too fast, but this was the first recording I ever heard of this piece and I got really used to how he plays it. Moreover, I just love the tenderness and warmth of his sound compared to any other recording of this work.
genmaximus110 3 years ago
I actually like the speed...it allows room for expression without being overly sentimental.
tobiasundry 3 years ago
The speed seems to make some parts a bit bombastic, almost, but those pizz chords! I've never heard them sound so great! I'm not much a fan of Heifetz but this recording is an exception.
ailiot 3 years ago
It's the others that are too slow....and heavy.
symfotroll 2 years ago
I think this piece ends that silly debate of whether or not Heifetz played coldly. If you can't feel the passion, then you must have a cold heart yourself.
genmaximus110 3 years ago
Well said, genmaximus... also, Heifetz's Brahms concerto was sublime, and that also ends the debate. :)
sab3156 3 years ago
And those who say he was cold only go to concerts for the visual experience-they don't use their ears.
ealing40 3 years ago
@genmaximus110
i agree. If this is cold the moon IS made of Bleu Cheese.
65attila 1 year ago