top five personal favorite violin recordings?

Question

I'm trying to start up a collection of violin recordings, e.g. Heifetz, Kremer, Stern, etc., and I was wondering what are your ALL-TIME picks for this category so that I can start buying these recommended records to start building.

Please include the violinist, the album title, the label, and if possible, please include a link for EACH album. I believe this will make it easier for all of us neophytes to get access to this music.

Any violin concertos, sonatas, divertimentos (with violin virtuoso playing) or any other piece of music that has heavy violin virtuoso playing involved should be included. Any MUST HAVE symphony pieces are welcome also.

kslnet: "Your question is far too vague and general to get a good response. There are so many violinists out there, and so much violin music, that it's impossible to recommend specifics that are guaranteed to appeal to you. However, if you want showy music, I would recommend the Romantic concertos (Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Bruch) and violin showpieces such as works by Paganini and Sarasate. "

kslnet,
I hope I did not frustrate you with my question. For clarification, to you and possibly others, I just want to find out your personal favorites of the violin. By knowing your personal favorities, I wish to make that known to others on the web, and hopefully take the jump to buy them and test them out.

I have heard Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Bach Double, and so on and so forth from various artists like Bell, Heifetz, Stern, Milstein, Oistrakh, and so on, but I don't have all the records in the world, so that's why I'm trying to fill in the BIG gaps that I have.

Menon,

Actually, I am quite familiar with all the names you have listed. Gidon Kremer, Oistrakh, Perlman and all the violin concertos are you listed are pretty well-known to those in the music world. Thank you for the suggestion. I might check out the Sibelius, b/c that is my favorite concerto as of now (love the 2nd movement), and I am not sure if the Isaac Stern w/ Philadelphia can be beat as of now.

And Mixmaster, thank you so much for recommending Accardo version of Paginini's Caprices. Absolutely wonderful!

Answer 1

note: The links shown below are just for artist/disc information and song clips. I am not endorsing any website to buy from.

Artist: Salvatore Accardo
Album: Nicolò Paganini: 24 Capricci For Solo Violin Op. 1
Label: DG Galleria
http://www.buy.com/prod/Caprices_Vln_24_/q/loc/273/60098030.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvatore_Accardo
This version is better than the one from Itzhak Perlman.
He (Perlman) is just showing off his technical skills and not grasping
The essence of Paganini


Artist: Lara st. John
Album: Bach: The Concerto Album
Label: Ancalagon
http://www.buy.com/prod/Bach_concerto_Album/q/loc/273/60517557.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lara_St._John
Don’t be deceived by Lara st. John’s good looks and provocative album cover.
Underneath this sexy exterior lies a Violinist with super technical proficiency
And abundant amounts of passion.

Artist: Sarah Chang
Album Debut
Label : EMI Classics
http://www.buy.com/prod/Debut/q/loc/109/60138187.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Chang
Child prodigy Sarah Chang was only 9 years old when this recording was made. The first time I listened to her play, I couldn't believe my ears. Such finesse, virtuosity and feeling from a little kid playing a 1/4-sized Violin.
There are plenty of adult Violinists that will(excuse my language)
get their *** kicked if they competed against her.


Artist: Anne Sophie Mutter (Violin) Andre Previn (Conductor)
Composer: Tchaikovsky
Work Title: Concerto for Violin in D major, Op. 35
Album: Tchaikovsky, Korngold: Violin Concertos
Label: DG Deutsche Grammophon (USA)
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=3144749&title=Tchaikovsky%2c+Korngold%3a+Violin+Concertos+%2f+Mutter%2c+Previn+%5bSACD+Hybrid%5d
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne-Sophie_Mutter

Artist: Hilarry Hahn
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Work Title: Concerto for Violin in E minor, Op. 64
Album: Mendelssohn, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos
Label : Sony Classical
http://www.buy.com/prod/Mendelsohn_shostakovich_violin_Ctos/q/loc/109/60574446.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Hahn
In this interpretation of “The Mendelssohn”,
the first movement (Allegro Molto Appassionato)
has a slightly faster tempo(which I Prefer) than you may be accustomed to.
After getting used to it, other versions seemed kind of sluggish and devoid of passion.

Answer 2

Your question is far too vague and general to get a good response. There are so many violinists out there, and so much violin music, that it's impossible to recommend specifics that are guaranteed to appeal to you. However, if you want showy music, I would recommend the Romantic concertos (Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Bruch) and violin showpieces such as works by Paganini and Sarasate.

Answer 3

Issac Stern playing Mendelssohn's Concerto in e minor.

This is my Favorite...

Other good violinists I know are:

Nadja Selerno Sondberg
Joshua Bell
Anne Akiko Meyers

Answer 4

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Answer 5

How coincidental... I'm watching Fiddler on the Roof as I read this!

I love the violin but I don't have any favorites that come to mind, so I'll just watch this space

Answer 6

1 The Solo Recording of Sheherezade, I can't remember who did it, but it was fantastic!

2. Duel- Bond (not really classical, but hey)

3. Sabre Dance- Katchaturian (played well by anyone)

I'm really sorry, but it's midnight, and I can't think of any others right off the bat. Good luck with your search! :D

Lisa

Answer 7

Joy of Love, Sorrow of Love

Answer 8

Hey there, you might not of heard of any of the violinist, or the compositions, but all of these represent the highest level of musicianship and artistry. Good luck in your search.

http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Violin-Concerto-Johannes/dp/B00000E2LI/sr=8-5/qid=1158984513/ref=sr_1_5/002-5840412-2207265?ie=UTF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Kremer-Plays-Schnittke-Gidon/dp/B000001GNL/sr=8-1/qid=1158984629/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5840412-2207265?ie=UTF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Berg-Stravinsky-Violin-Concertos-Perlman/dp/B000001GQX/sr=8-4/qid=1158984962/ref=sr_1_4/002-5840412-2207265?ie=UTF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Concerto-Op107-Violin-revised/dp/B000007QCK/sr=1-1/qid=1158985044/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5840412-2207265?ie=UTF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Violin-Concerto-Symphony-No/dp/B00000JQYD/sr=1-1/qid=1158985160/ref=sr_1_1/002-5840412-2207265?ie=UTF8&s=music