Violin Concerto in D major
Ludwig van Beethoven
D major
Recordings
David Oistrakh / André Cluytens / French Radio National Orchestra
1958Gil's first choice. Oistrakh has a gorgeous warm tone and is a 'thinking person's violinist.' A very grounded interpretation.
Also Worth Hearing
Itzhak Perlman / Carlo Maria Giulini / Chicago Symphony
1980A 'justly famous' early digital recording. Perlman brings heart, soul, and sweetness of tone, in a wonderful combination with Giulini.
Wolfgang Schneiderhan / Eugen Jochum / Berlin Philharmonic
1962A classic, well-recorded version. More extroverted, expressive, and heartfelt.
Yehudi Menuhin / Wilhelm Furtwängler / Philharmonia Orchestra
1953 Mono recordingA famous, classic collaboration. A 'pretty good mono' recording. A beautiful, heartfelt rendering with Furtwängler's artistry and power.
Adolf Busch / Fritz Busch / New York Philharmonic
1942 Live recordingA live recording with a rough sound. A powerful performance with 'Beethoven power' from both soloist and orchestra.
Jascha Heifetz / Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony
1940 Historic recordingGil prefers this to Heifetz's later stereo recording. It shows more commitment, passion, and drama, with a 'wonderful hushed intensity'.
Bronislaw Huberman / George Szell / Vienna Philharmonic
1934 Historic recordingSounds good for its time. Huberman is an individual, expressive artist with wonderful imagination. A flowing, beautiful interpretation.
Fritz Kreisler / Leo Blech / Berlin State Opera Orchestra
1926 Historic recordingAn old, dim recording, but Kreisler's artistry is 'essential.' It is 'oozing with humanity and artistry,' with hushed, contemplative moments.