Posted by elektratig [ 66.108.43.39 ] on January 31, 2006 at 17:46:39:
In Reply to: Re: Pick A Genre posted by manualblock on January 31, 2006 at 14:29:39:
Balkin's choice, and mine, and that of many many others, for Mozart's five violin concertos features Arthur Grumiaux. Although you've probably never heard of him, Grumiaux was a highly-regarded and well-known Belgian violinist in the late 50s through early 70s (these recordings are mostly from the early 1960s). Grumiaux was known for his beautiful, well-rounded tone, rather than flashiness, but Mozart is not a sturm und drang romantic composer whose music requires excessively flashy and dramatic ostentation. On the other hand, this is not to suggest that Grumiaux is at all heavy or boring. The performances (with Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra) have the sprightliness, sparkle, vitality and humanity that are essential to Mozart.
The performances are now conveniently available on a Philips "Duo" set -- 2 ceedees for the price of one. The set is even more of a bargain because it also includes equally fine performances of the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra and the Adagio and Rondo for Violin and Orchestra, so you wind up with virtually Mozart's entire output for violin and orchestra. The current Amazon price is $13.49.
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