CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Schoenberg Violin Concerto Op.36/Sibelius Violin Concerto Op.47

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: DG

Release Date April 08, 2008
This recording pairs two concerti that, despite the obvious differences in tonal language, have much in common: both are large-scale, impassioned and, at times, achingly lyrical works that require technical mastery and musical maturity from both soloist and orchestra.
As far as the Schoenberg goes, Hahn and Salonen meet these challenges unabashedly; it is the most well-controlled yet lyrical recording of this sadly underplayed masterpiece I know. Schoenberg's musical language--so difficult for so many listeners--is brought to life with remarkable clarity and, more importantly, treated with a lovely musicality that sings out the Romantic beauty of the work.
However, while Schoenberg's lyricism generally reveals itself in shorter ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

L'Orgue Rinckenbach d'Ettendorf / L'Organiste II / Franck

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Fugatto

Release Date November 24, 1998
This recording pairs two concerti that, despite the obvious differences in tonal language, have much in common: both are large-scale, impassioned and, at times, achingly lyrical works that require technical mastery and musical maturity from both soloist and orchestra.
As far as the Schoenberg goes, Hahn and Salonen meet these challenges unabashedly; it is the most well-controlled yet lyrical recording of this sadly underplayed masterpiece I know. Schoenberg's musical language--so difficult for so many listeners--is brought to life with remarkable clarity and, more importantly, treated with a lovely musicality that sings out the Romantic beauty of the work.
However, while Schoenberg's lyricism generally reveals itself in shorter ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Bruch: The Complete Symphonies

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Philips

Release Date June 09, 1998
This 2-CD set of Bruch's 3 symphonies and five violin pieces is a compilation of downright beautiful music. Bruch's romantic symphonies are exquisitely crafted- chock full of lush themes and wonderful orchestration. If you're unfamiliar with them (as I was) at one moment you'll be thinking Schumann, then at another Brahms. There are moments of Mahler-like bombast but fortunately they're few and brief.

The violin pieces are as good or even better- ranging from a virtuosic tour-de-force to haunting introspection.

Both the orchestral and solo violin playing are very well done- no negatives here. And I disagree with a (much earlier) reviewer- I thought Philips did a nice job with the sound throughout, both in the miking and recording. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Beethoven: Symphonie No. 9

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date February 13, 2007
This 2-CD set of Bruch's 3 symphonies and five violin pieces is a compilation of downright beautiful music. Bruch's romantic symphonies are exquisitely crafted- chock full of lush themes and wonderful orchestration. If you're unfamiliar with them (as I was) at one moment you'll be thinking Schumann, then at another Brahms. There are moments of Mahler-like bombast but fortunately they're few and brief.

The violin pieces are as good or even better- ranging from a virtuosic tour-de-force to haunting introspection.

Both the orchestral and solo violin playing are very well done- no negatives here. And I disagree with a (much earlier) reviewer- I thought Philips did a nice job with the sound throughout, both in the miking and recording. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

My England: A Collection of Timeless English Concertos

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Asv Living Era

Release Date September 21, 2004
This 2-CD set of Bruch's 3 symphonies and five violin pieces is a compilation of downright beautiful music. Bruch's romantic symphonies are exquisitely crafted- chock full of lush themes and wonderful orchestration. If you're unfamiliar with them (as I was) at one moment you'll be thinking Schumann, then at another Brahms. There are moments of Mahler-like bombast but fortunately they're few and brief.

The violin pieces are as good or even better- ranging from a virtuosic tour-de-force to haunting introspection.

Both the orchestral and solo violin playing are very well done- no negatives here. And I disagree with a (much earlier) reviewer- I thought Philips did a nice job with the sound throughout, both in the miking and recording. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Symphonies 1, 3, 9

Search: 1 Poco allegro
by: Beethoven, Furtwangler, Guden, Vpo, Bpo

Release Date January 01, 2006
try it for yourself may be the greatest of them all

CD-Charts Position 7
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MARTINU: Piano Music - Kvapil

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Regis Records

Release Date June 14, 2006
try it for yourself may be the greatest of them all

CD-Charts Position 8
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Schumann: Drei Romanzen; Sonata, Op. 11; Kinderszenen

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Fuga Libera

Release Date January 01, 2007
try it for yourself may be the greatest of them all

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets 1952 Recordings

Search: 1 Poco allegro
by: Vegh Quartet

Release Date January 01, 2006
I recently purchased this set of Beethoven's string quartets, and I must say that aside from its more detailed sound, it shares many of the shortcomings of the set recorded by the Vegh in the early 70's. Contrary to what Mr. Davis implies, this set does not use consistently slightly faster tempos. Indeed the tempos are at times slower in both slow and fast movements than the 70's set. The Vegh is, at times, even more strained and lifeless in these performances than they were in those of the 70's.

The Penguin Guide has sung the praises of the Vegh performances for years and seems to abhor performances of vitality, perfection, and exquisite beauty. It therefore chides the Cleveland Quartet for being shallow because of its "impeccable technical address." ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Martinu: Symphony No. 4; Estampes; Le Départ

Search: 1 Poco allegro
from: Fuga Libera Label

Release Date March 11, 2008
I recently purchased this set of Beethoven's string quartets, and I must say that aside from its more detailed sound, it shares many of the shortcomings of the set recorded by the Vegh in the early 70's. Contrary to what Mr. Davis implies, this set does not use consistently slightly faster tempos. Indeed the tempos are at times slower in both slow and fast movements than the 70's set. The Vegh is, at times, even more strained and lifeless in these performances than they were in those of the 70's.

The Penguin Guide has sung the praises of the Vegh performances for years and seems to abhor performances of vitality, perfection, and exquisite beauty. It therefore chides the Cleveland Quartet for being shallow because of its "impeccable technical address." ... Read More: