Nah! It's Heifetz's Korngold Violin Concerto, hands down THE greatest violin player anyone could ever hope to hear playing one of the most gorgeous musical compositions of all time. NO CONTEST! His perfect purity of intonation, singing line, and technical perfection are out of this world.
I, without hesitation, would take the Korngold violin concerto by Jascha Heifetz to a desert island. This work ''transports'' me every time I listen to it...magnificent beauty of the melodies, where the feeling takes the top, and this without being ''kitch'' or glamorous,......the Beethoven with Heifetz is ''royal'' in my opinion, magnificent playing of Heifetz, yes...we are literally taken by this interpretation
I "imprinted" on the Heifetz/Munch recording of the Beethoven concerto as a young listener. Among less well-known stuff, I really like the Rozsa concerto.
There’s a fun live recording of the Mendelssohn at Carnegie Hall in which Heifetz is fighting with the conductor over the tempo the entire time. Heifetz lets it rip in the third movement, and the conductor has no choice but to relent.
I just heard the RCA record LSC-2577 of Heifetz playing the Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata. The performance and the sound of this Living Stereo record from 1961 is insane in its aggression. It really knocked me out!
A great talk again. For me personally, I gain a lot each time because there are always answers to questions. Artists are human beings and their character, make up or attitude matters. And funny enough I do have the recording already because of one of Dave's earlier postings 🙂 A Liegeois salad is great with vinegar too
This was my 2nd LP that my dad bought me when I was 14. This is an excellent choice! But I would also consider his rendition of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, Korngold’s Violin Concerto, and the rarely played violin concerto in E minor by Jules Conus. Heifetz owns these three works. No one comes close. Thanks Dave! 🙏🏻🎻
My favorite violin piece by Heifetz is the Brahms Concerto with Reiner and the Chicago Symphony. It is the most exciting piece of violin music I have ever heard. I have it on vinyl and it was released in 1958 on RCA Victoria.
The Brahms Concerto is one Heifetz recording I don't care for. It's such a "rapid run-thru" that the grandeur of the piece is missing. Try Oistrakh-Klemperer.
Everyone's entitled to their own opinion but your full of boloney. Anthony you're absolutely right. Heifetz's Brahms with Reiner and the Chicago Symphony is one of the most exciting, greatest concerto recordings ever made. No way in hell does it sound like a "run through".
@billcurtis5668 I listened to the Szell performance and it was definitely excellent. In my case I also consider the quality of the sound. Those old RCA living stereo recording are still great. Thanks for your comment.
I know that most people will disagree with this, but I really like the Heifetz chamber music recordings, precisely because they are not homogenous in approach or sound. I enjoy hearing the individuality of each player. These recordings always hold my attention from beginning to end.
Perfect choice! When you listen to Heifetz breathe life into these it is hard to believe that he wasn't conveying exactly what the composers intended (whether or not he in fact did).
I would select the Scottish Fantasy with Sargent. I`ve read that JH was especially proud of this recording and over 60 years later it has stood the test of time.
As so often, Dave, I was stimulated by your talk. This time I went to my shelves and put a CD of the Heifitz/Munch Beethoven onto the player. It has never been my favourite of this sublime work. I was brought up on the more reflective and serene rendering of Menuhin/Furtwängler and have found Heifitz (and still do after the new hearing) a bit too forceful and driven for my view of the work, in spite of the unrivalled polish and technical perfection of his playing. Other violinists in my collection whom I prefer include Perlman (with Giulini), Schneiderhan, Krebbers and I would love to hear Grumiaux most of whose work I adore. For me, Heifitz is at his masterly best in the more spectacular romantic concertos, such as Bruch, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Korngold, even Elgar and Walton....but I have reservations about his Brahms in the same way as about his Beethoven. Alas most of my recordings of his renderings of such concertos were on audio cassettes which have become unplayable, so I have only my memory on which to rely. In spite of my scepticism about performer boxes, I could be in the market for a reissue of Heifitz's.
We must not forget the fantastic Brahm's he did with Reiner and the Chicago symphony in 1955. It exudes greatness. Every time i hear it I get the OMG reaction. Some people accuse Heifetz of being a cold violinist. The slow movement of the Tchaikovsky he did with Reiner disproves that. Sweet , beautiful and perfect. I quite agree about most of his chamber music recordings. They were too hard boiled and tense. If only he could have relaxed a little bit it would have been so much better.
Right on with the Brahms! I first heard Prokofiev's 2nd VC played by Issac Stern, then, later, Heifetz. I preferred the Stern recording. I really can't explain why, but I did. One thing that amazes me is that, apparently, Heifetz never recorded the First Prokofiev VC and apparently couldn't stand the Bartok #2 and so didn't record it. Guess I'll have to wait until Heifetz gives a concert in heaven and deigns to play them there! P.S. Why is the Schumann concerto neglected by the big-time soloists (with the exception of Isabel Faust, whom I call "Daughter of Heifetz")? I am aware of Brahm's disdain for it, but maybe he was smoking something noxious. It is a fine work and not one I ever hesitate to listen to.
A genius indeed. But I always had the impression he was also a quite a modest guy. Who else would drive around LA in a converted bio-fuel Renault Dauphine?
I love Heifetz and wish I could have heard him live but I was/am too young and he last played in London in 1962. For sheer virtuosity I don't think you can beat the Sinding Suite. Itzhak Perlman chose that as one of his "Desert Island Discs" as he was so overwhelmed by the performance by Heifetz who he revered.
Heifetz Plays Gershwin and Encores (RCA Red Seal) - most with Brooks Smith on piano. Awed by 27 pieces brilliantly played from all periods from Mendelssohn to moderns, from sweet (Ave Maria) to flashy (Hora Stoccato) this evil god probably throws in the towel before the final track is reached.
Impossible to pick just one Heifetz recording. Consider the variation and compelling power of these choices: Korngold Concerto, Sibelius Concerto, Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Saint Saens Rondo Capriccioso (and countless others). You can't leave even one of them behind. (OK, perhaps the Scottish Fantasy is the one. It simply can't be touched.)
Dave-my late father had a wonderful record of Heifetz playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Toscani and the RCA Symphony Orchestra. I love that recording. What do you think of that recording by Heifetz and Toscanini?
Sheerly because of repertory, I think I'd choose Heifetz's recording with Monteux of Louis Gruenberg's Violin Concerto. It's catchy, jazzy, breezy and it would be a shame to lose it. And Heifetz plays the pants off it. Since the Naxos cd issue has the Prokofiev Cto 2 with Koussevitzky and the BSO, so much the better.
I would vote for an old, old record (LP) by Heifetz comprising the Mendelssohn Concerto and Prokofiev's Second Concerto. Was it Munch or Leinsdorf conducting? I can't remember...
Right on! Absolutely correct about the Heifetz-Munch recording of Beethoven and Mendelssohn! If you only you could have somehow included the Brahms/Reiner. And I agree with your general assessment of Heifetz. In my own experience, as an example, I became obsessed at one point with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Such a beautiful work! My original recording was Heifetz, but I purchased and listened to every other recording I could get my hands on. After all was said and done, I returned to the Heifetz and realized it was not only better played than all the others, but it was the performance that best captured the spirit or intention of the music! Heifetz was not just a great technician, he had great musical understanding.
I have a CD with Heifetz playing both the Beethoven and Brahms. These recordings (circa 1958) are the standard. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy other renderings by other soloists, but if you want to experience Heaven in sound, check out his Brahms.
I'm a Heifetz above all else fan, but I have to say Beethoven and Mendelsohn are my least favorite of his extensive repertoire. Both pieces I think require a high degree of warmth and musicianship and not weighted as much for tempo and technique characteristic of Mr. Heifetz. Don't get me wrong, they are legendary performances and I enjoy every bit of them, but just not Heifetz pieces. Ivry Gitlis plays a legendary Mendelsohn and Menuhin plays an amazing Beethoven. If I could choose a single piece by Heifetz, c'mon, the Tchaikovsky with Reiner and CSO! It's a no brainer for me, he was made for that piece. 2nd would be Waxman's Carman Fantasy and 3rd would be the Glazunov. Gah, maybe Sinding Suite for no.3? I'm so glad we don't have to choose just one! Love the conversation. Thanks!
Nah! It's Heifetz's Korngold Violin Concerto, hands down THE greatest violin player anyone could ever hope to hear playing one of the most gorgeous musical compositions of all time. NO CONTEST! His perfect purity of intonation, singing line, and technical perfection are out of this world.
I, without hesitation, would take the Korngold violin concerto by Jascha Heifetz to a desert island. This work ''transports'' me every time I listen to it...magnificent beauty of the melodies, where the feeling takes the top, and this without being ''kitch'' or glamorous,......the Beethoven with Heifetz is ''royal'' in my opinion, magnificent playing of Heifetz, yes...we are literally taken by this interpretation
I "imprinted" on the Heifetz/Munch recording of the Beethoven concerto as a young listener. Among less well-known stuff, I really like the Rozsa concerto.
I like his Bruch Scottish Fantasy because of the expressive phrasing of the folk themes.
There’s a fun live recording of the Mendelssohn at Carnegie Hall in which Heifetz is fighting with the conductor over the tempo the entire time. Heifetz lets it rip in the third movement, and the conductor has no choice but to relent.
I just heard the RCA record LSC-2577 of Heifetz playing the Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata. The performance and the sound of this Living Stereo record from 1961 is insane in its aggression. It really knocked me out!
A great talk again. For me personally, I gain a lot each time because there are always answers to questions. Artists are human beings and their character, make up or attitude matters. And funny enough I do have the recording already because of one of Dave's earlier postings 🙂 A Liegeois salad is great with vinegar too
This was my 2nd LP that my dad bought me when I was 14. This is an excellent choice! But I would also consider his rendition of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, Korngold’s Violin Concerto, and the rarely played violin concerto in E minor by Jules Conus. Heifetz owns these three works. No one comes close. Thanks Dave! 🙏🏻🎻
My favorite violin piece by Heifetz is the Brahms Concerto with Reiner and the Chicago Symphony. It is the most exciting piece of violin music I have ever heard. I have it on vinyl and it was released in 1958 on RCA Victoria.
The Brahms Concerto is one Heifetz recording I don't care for. It's such a "rapid run-thru" that the grandeur of the piece is missing. Try Oistrakh-Klemperer.
Everyone's entitled to their own opinion but your full of boloney. Anthony you're absolutely right. Heifetz's Brahms with Reiner and the Chicago Symphony is one of the most exciting, greatest concerto recordings ever made. No way in hell does it sound like a "run through".
His live performance of the Brahms with Szell and the NYPO 1951 is JH at his best and the NYPO in top form.
@billcurtis5668 I listened to the Szell performance and it was definitely excellent. In my case I also consider the quality of the sound. Those old RCA living stereo recording are still great. Thanks for your comment.
I know that most people will disagree with this, but I really like the Heifetz chamber music recordings, precisely because they are not homogenous in approach or sound. I enjoy hearing the individuality of each player. These recordings always hold my attention from beginning to end.
I listen to this exact CD last night. 👍
Perfect choice! When you listen to Heifetz breathe life into these it is hard to believe that he wasn't conveying exactly what the composers intended (whether or not he in fact did).
I feel for you Dave I cannot have just one favorite recording by Jascha.
Heifetz, indeed, with a large part of the recording's greatness owing to Munch's conducting and the great Boston Symphony.
Great Video * Thank You Dave - I am learning about Jascha Heifetz this helps a lot. Thank you
I would select the Scottish Fantasy with Sargent. I`ve read that JH was especially proud of this recording and over 60 years later it has stood the test of time.
As so often, Dave, I was stimulated by your talk. This time I went to my shelves and put a CD of the Heifitz/Munch Beethoven onto the player. It has never been my favourite of this sublime work. I was brought up on the more reflective and serene rendering of Menuhin/Furtwängler and have found Heifitz (and still do after the new hearing) a bit too forceful and driven for my view of the work, in spite of the unrivalled polish and technical perfection of his playing. Other violinists in my collection whom I prefer include Perlman (with Giulini), Schneiderhan, Krebbers and I would love to hear Grumiaux most of whose work I adore.
For me, Heifitz is at his masterly best in the more spectacular romantic concertos, such as Bruch, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Korngold, even Elgar and Walton....but I have reservations about his Brahms in the same way as about his Beethoven. Alas most of my recordings of his renderings of such concertos were on audio cassettes which have become unplayable, so I have only my memory on which to rely. In spite of my scepticism about performer boxes, I could be in the market for a reissue of Heifitz's.
100% agree
We must not forget the fantastic Brahm's he did with Reiner and the Chicago symphony in 1955. It exudes greatness. Every time i hear it I get the OMG reaction.
Some people accuse Heifetz of being a cold violinist. The slow movement of the Tchaikovsky he did with Reiner disproves that. Sweet , beautiful and perfect.
I quite agree about most of his chamber music recordings. They were too hard boiled and tense. If only he could have relaxed a little bit it would have been so much better.
Right on with the Brahms!
I first heard Prokofiev's 2nd VC played by Issac Stern, then, later, Heifetz. I preferred the Stern recording. I really can't explain why, but I did.
One thing that amazes me is that, apparently, Heifetz never recorded the First Prokofiev VC and apparently couldn't stand the Bartok #2 and so didn't record it. Guess I'll have to wait until Heifetz gives a concert in heaven and deigns to play them there!
P.S. Why is the Schumann concerto neglected by the big-time soloists (with the exception of Isabel Faust, whom I call "Daughter of Heifetz")? I am aware of Brahm's disdain for it, but maybe he was smoking something noxious. It is a fine work and not one I ever hesitate to listen to.
Agree with you 100% - Sony really ought to re-release the big Heifetz box.....
A genius indeed. But I always had the impression he was also a quite a modest guy. Who else would drive around LA in a converted bio-fuel Renault Dauphine?
He also was one of the first people in California to convert his Volvo in electric car, 70 years ago!!!
Agreed! But how an earth could you make a choice from among the riches that Heifetz left behind? Shouldn’t the Heifetz Box be restored to the catalog?
I have a volunteer for the most important recording projects, if that series is still running: Arthur Rubinstein’s stereo Chopin recordings
I love Heifetz and wish I could have heard him live but I was/am too young and he last played in London in 1962.
For sheer virtuosity I don't think you can beat the Sinding Suite. Itzhak Perlman chose that as one of his "Desert Island Discs" as he was so overwhelmed by the performance by Heifetz who he revered.
Heifetz Plays Gershwin and Encores (RCA Red Seal) - most with Brooks Smith on piano. Awed by 27 pieces brilliantly played from all periods from Mendelssohn to moderns, from sweet (Ave Maria) to flashy (Hora Stoccato) this evil god probably throws in the towel before the final track is reached.
For me, it’s his recording of the Saint Saens Violin Sonata in D
Impossible to pick just one Heifetz recording. Consider the variation and compelling power of these choices: Korngold Concerto, Sibelius Concerto, Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Saint Saens Rondo Capriccioso (and countless others). You can't leave even one of them behind. (OK, perhaps the Scottish Fantasy is the one. It simply can't be touched.)
Dave-my late father had a wonderful record of Heifetz playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Toscani and the RCA Symphony Orchestra. I love that recording. What do you think of that recording by Heifetz and Toscanini?
I think the Munch is far better.
Sheerly because of repertory, I think I'd choose Heifetz's recording with Monteux of Louis Gruenberg's Violin Concerto. It's catchy, jazzy, breezy and it would be a shame to lose it. And Heifetz plays the pants off it. Since the Naxos cd issue has the Prokofiev Cto 2 with Koussevitzky and the BSO, so much the better.
Thoughts on Hillary Hahn's new album on DG? Its the Ysaÿe sonatas
See review at ClassicsToday.com.
I would vote for an old, old record (LP) by Heifetz comprising the Mendelssohn Concerto and Prokofiev's Second Concerto. Was it Munch or Leinsdorf conducting? I can't remember...
Munch on both!
Right on! Absolutely correct about the Heifetz-Munch recording of Beethoven and Mendelssohn! If you only you could have somehow included the Brahms/Reiner. And I agree with your general assessment of Heifetz.
In my own experience, as an example, I became obsessed at one point with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Such a beautiful work! My original recording was Heifetz, but I purchased and listened to every other recording I could get my hands on. After all was said and done, I returned to the Heifetz and realized it was not only better played than all the others, but it was the performance that best captured the spirit or intention of the music! Heifetz was not just a great technician, he had great musical understanding.
I have a CD with Heifetz playing both the Beethoven and Brahms. These recordings (circa 1958) are the standard. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy other renderings by other soloists, but if you want to experience Heaven in sound, check out his Brahms.
I love his Bruch's first concerto too
"P___ and vinegar" = stringency?
I will never part with my late mom's 3 CD set of Heifetz / Beethoven sonatas.
I'm a Heifetz above all else fan, but I have to say Beethoven and Mendelsohn are my least favorite of his extensive repertoire. Both pieces I think require a high degree of warmth and musicianship and not weighted as much for tempo and technique characteristic of Mr. Heifetz. Don't get me wrong, they are legendary performances and I enjoy every bit of them, but just not Heifetz pieces. Ivry Gitlis plays a legendary Mendelsohn and Menuhin plays an amazing Beethoven. If I could choose a single piece by Heifetz, c'mon, the Tchaikovsky with Reiner and CSO! It's a no brainer for me, he was made for that piece. 2nd would be Waxman's Carman Fantasy and 3rd would be the Glazunov. Gah, maybe Sinding Suite for no.3? I'm so glad we don't have to choose just one! Love the conversation. Thanks!