Heifetz, Primrose, Piatigorsky... play Mendelssohn Octet - mvt 1 (part 1)

Octet for Strings in E flat major, Op. 20 by Felix Mendelssohn

1: Allegro Moderato Ma Con Fuoco
2: Andante
3: Scherzo: Allegro Leggierismo
4: Presto

Performer: Arnold Belnick (Violin), Jascha Heifetz (Violin), Israel Baker (Violin), Joseph Stepansky (Violin), Gabor Rejto (Cello), Virginia Majewski (Viola), Gregor Piatigorsky (Cello), William Primrose (Viola)

Although Heifetz is dominant among his group (as always), this recording is still my favorite. Chamber music requires much balance/harmony, and Heifetz might not be the best in this regard - mostly because few musians could come close to his standard. Yet, without Heifetz and his group's exhilarating recordings, wouldn't our world of music lack something?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Felix
• Mendelssohn
• Octet
• Jascha
• Heifetz
• Arnold
• Belnick
• Israel
• Baker
• Joseph
• Stepansky
• Gabor
• Rejto
• Virginia
• Majewski
• Gregor
• Piatigorsky
• William
• Primrose
• violin
• viola
• cello
• classical music

[moldyoreo]

I read the little description written by the uploader, a person who clearly doesn't understand the mechanics of the Octet. The first violinist is supposed to dominate - just look at the first page of the score. While I concur that Heifetz isn't the best "team player" he is perfectly justified here in our hearing.

[physphilmusic]

Not only that the first violin is supposed to be dominant, I think here it's not as dominant as usual. The cellos resonate very powerfully, as are the violas, to the point that at some times Heifetz is almost swamped. Remember, we're talking about Piatigorsky and Primrose. These men were gods, as bit as legendary as Heifetz was. Gabor Rejto was also no pushover. I feel the uploader has a very limited knowledge of performers outside of legendary violinists.

[larryraiken]

I must agree with moldyoreo's assessment. The melody is carried by the first violin, and although the other instruments are NOT accompanists, they must support the main themes.

[jeffersonfsoares]

Acho a melhor interpretação dessa obra, acho também que o primeiro deve se sobresair sobre todos os outros. Acho que muitos ficam perseguindo muito o Heifetz, pra mim o Heifetz tocando musica de camera soa totalmente diferente de qualquer outro violinista soa pra mim como fosse algo novo que nunca havia escutado. Mais a verdade é que só os melhores são tão criticados, mesmo sendo criticado nunca sera de ser lembrado como um dos melhores de todos os tempos.

[sarrraaaxo]

I'm playing this for a chamber ensemble. Is it always played this fast?

[The55555SSSSS]

Mendelssohn + Heifetz = Mendelssoheifetz !

[FORSATKEY]

This is So beautiful....Lovely and So great done*****

key

[griffin0107]

Great, thank you :)