Violin Concerto in D major

Johannes Brahms

D major

Recordings

Top Choice

Hermann Krebers / Bernard Haitink / Concertgebouw Orchestra

1973 Out of print

Gil's top choice. 'Reaches the heart of the piece.' Fantastic, warm, beautiful sound. Passionate, probing, with a beautiful sweet tone. (Out of print).

Also Worth Hearing

Itzhak Perlman / Carlo Maria Giulini / Chicago Symphony

1976

A top choice. Similar to Krebers (slower, contemplative). Well-recorded. Perlman brings warmth, passion, humanity, and a sweet tone.

David Oistrakh / Franz Konwitschny / Staatskapelle Dresden

1954 Mono recording

One of three great Oistrakh versions mentioned. Mono. Noble phrasing and artistry. More sweet-toned.

David Oistrakh / Otto Klemperer / French Radio National Orchestra

1960

One of three great Oistrakh versions mentioned. More warmth and depth.

David Oistrakh / George Szell / Cleveland Orchestra

1969

One of three great Oistrakh versions mentioned. More energy and drama.

Nathan Milstein / Anatole Fistoulari / Philharmonia Orchestra

1960

A top choice. A little faster, 'riveting, just really dramatic.' Fantastic, warm 'full dimensional sound.' Noble phrasing and beautiful artistry.

Henryk Szeryng / Pierre Monteux / London Symphony

1958

A favorite for many. 'Really natural sounding' and 'earnestly communicative.' A great version and possible first choice for its natural beauty.

Jascha Heifetz / Fritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony

1955

One of the most famous recordings (good stereo), but Gil is in the minority, finding it 'rushed' and more impressive than emotional.

Anne-Sophie Mutter / Kurt Masur / New York Philharmonic

1997

A 'really personal, individual' digital rendering. Shifts around, gets hushed and quiet. 'It really works.' Beautiful and heartfelt.

Christian Ferras / Carl Schuricht / Vienna Philharmonic

1954 Mono recording

Decent mono. A passionate, heartfelt recording with a 'built-in angst' and emotion to Ferras's beautiful, raw tone.

Ginette Neveu / Issay Dobrowen / Philharmonia Orchestra

1946 Historic recording

'You also have to hear' this. Primitive sound. Played with 'ferocity and heart,' 'great imagination.' Strong, assertive, and poetic.

Bronislaw Huberman / Artur Rodziński / New York Philharmonic

1944 Live recording

One of Gil's favorites. A live recording. Huberman 'just plays the hell out of this piece.' Fast, flexible, impassioned, dramatic. (He played for Brahms).

Jascha Heifetz / Serge Koussevitzky / Boston Symphony

1939 Historic recording

'Essential listening.' Gil prefers this earlier Heifetz. 'Fantastic.' It's fast but 'allows it to breathe.' Shows poetry and a 'feeling of struggle'.

Joseph Szigeti / Hamilton Harty / Hallé Orchestra

1928 Historic recording

Very dim sound. A refined, beautiful, natural, 'heartwarming version' with emotions held in check.

Fritz Kreisler / Leo Blech / Berlin State Opera Orchestra

1927 Historic recording

Kreisler 'just brings that humanity and beauty.' The artistry is great for this piece.