The appeal of this recording comes from its historical value, the incorporation of two infrequently heard concertos (Pfitzner and Fortner), and, given the dates of its recording, its generally pleasing sound quality. However, the performances themselves are sometimes a bit questionable. The disc opens with the Bruch G minor Concerto, one of the staples of the violin repertoire. The orchestral tuttis in the first movement are quite sloppy, and by the third movement both soloist and orchestra are attempting to perform so ...
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The appeal of this recording comes from its historical value, the incorporation of two infrequently heard concertos (Pfitzner and Fortner), and, given the dates of its recording, its generally pleasing sound quality. However, the performances themselves are sometimes a bit questionable. The disc opens with the Bruch G minor Concerto, one of the staples of the violin repertoire. The orchestral tuttis in the first movement are quite sloppy, and by the third movement both soloist and orchestra are attempting to perform so ridiculously fast that the whole thing virtually falls apart. Taschner definitely plays with passion, but he tries too hard to impress listeners and his plan severely backfires. The Pfitzner concerto is much more successful. There are fewer opportunities for break-neck speeds, and the orchestra part is much less dense. Taschner's playing here is more intricate and less ostentatious, yielding a more enjoyable interpretation. The Canzone of the Fortner concerto is quite lovely, and the...
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