J. Heifetz Plays Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (4/4)

Pyotr Illich Tchaikovsky:

Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 36. (4/4)
III. Finale: Allegro vivacissimo

Violin: Jascha Heifetz
Conductor: Fritz Reiner
(1957 Recording)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tchaikovsky
• Violin
• Concerto
• Jascha
• Heifetz
• Fritz
• Reiner
• Pyotr
• Illich
• Sinfoniette

[ipmoic]

Magnificent. Perhaps Heifetz is recorded just a bit too closely with the microphones? His amazing, yet cutting, tone made for him being heard clearly even in the uppermost regions of a theater's balcony, but perhaps a foot further back would have been advisable in this recording? Just a comment. Also, what wonderful wind players from the great days of the Chicago symphony--couldn't be better! An unsurpassed recording for me.

[Sinfoniette]

Yes, Heifetz has that stormy edge which is found nowhere, even in the great Oistrakh. And I find no problem with the recording process, frankly; that having said, I have a low expectation for sound quality. Heck, it just needs to be great music!

[Sinfoniette]

You're welcome. ;)

It is a great concerto...

[rapter9800]

Every time I listen to this I am stunned by the totally amazing articulation!

[srinitaaigaura]

Actually with the plugins we have today, we could enhance anybody's recording to approximately simulate concert hall sound -- and to say the least, the results are breathtaking, especially the remastered recordings.

[srinitaaigaura]

@ipmoic @assindiastignani In a large hall, the sound of those double stop ricochets (or spiccato) at 7:20 would have been incredible. I don't think anyone plays them with such full bodied tone as Heifetz does. Sound quality is better if you download it, Youtube compression to blame.

Proper graphic equalizer settings enhancing the lower frequencies plus a reverb plugin to simulate everything from room size to humidity turned this into a warm very luminous sound - mostly removed that harsh edge.

[hjdjoo]

Am I one of the few people whose favorite recording of the Tchaikovsky is this one? There aren't so many romanticisms and liberties taken as in other interpretations, but for me, Heifetz brings technical perfection to such a level to impart emotion without the need for excessive coloration. But then again, as with everything in music, that's "just my opinion..."

[assindiastignani]

@ipmoic I agree with you, but a producer at RCA once told that this is the way Heifetz wanted it: the microphone as close to the bridge of the violin as possible, and noone could talk him out of it, although many tried...As for Chicago under Reiner - what is there to say? That is THE standard for all time

[zolochnaya]

I think Oistrakh has it on fingering and coloring the music, Heifetz has it on technical ability, and Zimmerman has it on everything! God Bless a great violinist!

[JC5268]

@violmaster94 I have to agree with you! I'm not saying that Heifetz's is bad or anything like that, and I'm a great fan of Heifetz too, but sometimes what he plays become too mechanical and technically perfect, and most of the time it is the technical imperfections and the innate musical quality that makes music interesting. For this violin concerto, I'd prefer Mutter+Karajan+VPO.

[JC5268]

Those artificial harmonics and fast notes! Even a cello guy like me goes thumbs up

[lachendeindiaan]

@Lassannn ik ben het volledig met u eens