More on Menuhin.

Yehudi Menuhin:

• The Great Violin Concertos

I wrote last about this great violinist 5 days ago, and I described the little book I am reading about Mr. Menuhin. Then I went on to offer comparisons of the way several different violinists interpreted the Beethoven violin concert.

Today I am coming back to Menuhin alone. I came across this recording that contains all the great violin concertos. For me, this recording is special because of two factors:

• 1. In my view, Menhin’s interpretation of the Brahms concerto is outstanding; And I keep listening to Menuhin’s playing of the second movement.

• 2. Menuhin premiered the Concerto by Edward Elgar, so he had first-hand knowledge from the composer how this piece should be interpreted.

Here are the selections on 3 CD’s:

Beethoven:

• Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

First published in 1960
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Constantini Silvestri

Brahms:

• Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

First published in 1958
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe

Bruch:

• Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26

First published in 1959
Philharmonia Orchestra, Walter Susskind

Elgar:

• Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61

Recorded July 14th and 15th 1932
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Edward Elgar

Mendelssohn:

• Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

First published in 1959
Philharmonia Orchestra, Efrem Kurtz

Mozart:

• Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K216

First published in 1962
Bath Festival Chamber Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin

Vivaldi:

• Concerto, Op. 3 No. 10 ‘Con quattro Violini e Violoncello obligato’, RV 580

First published in 1962
Bath Festival Chamber Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin

All performed by Yehudi Menuhin (violin)

The Guardian wrote recently:

“He was a child prodigy whose early virtuosity blossomed into genius, unmatched throughout his life by any of his contemporaries………He was one of the greatest violinists of the century.”

Here is Mr. Menuhin playing the Bach A Minor violin concerto, BWV 1041:

Next, here is Yehudi Menuhin, playing the Violin Concerto in D Major, op 61by Ludwig van Beethoven, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by the young Sir Colin Davis; London 1962:

Finally, here are Yehudi Menuhin and David Oistrakh playing the Bach Double Violin Concerto:

Tags: Yehudi Menuhin, Mozart, Elgar, Beethovn Brahms, Vivaldi