Milstein: Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto - Capitol SP 8512 (French pressing)

$

50

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful LP from French Capitol (SP 8512, French Pathé-Marconi pressing, rainbow label / Capitol Records logo at 9:00, stereo, glossy laminated jacket) features the legendary violinist Nathan Milstein's passionate and deeply eloquent account of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35 – recorded with William Steinberg conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh on 6 April 1959 (producer: Richard Jones).

Two other studio Milstein Op. 35's bookend the present recording – a 1940 performance with Frederick Stock and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a 1972 reading with Claudio Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic for DG. Fine as those are, this middle account remains the high-water mark of Milstein's achievement, as he seemed always to forge a brilliant partnership with Steinberg, their recordings of the Brahms and Beethoven Concerti among the finest on record.

Wrote the critic D.C. in his review for the June 1960 issue of The Gramophone: “Milstein gives a masterly performance of this concerto: his virtuosity in the finale is absolutely breathtaking, not even yielding place to Heifetz; and in the Canzonetta, his beautifully intimate expressiveness is only surpassed by the exquisite playing of Ferras. The first movement is superbly played, too, but I find it rather disappointing from the expressive point of view: taken at a quicker tempo than usual, it presses on rather impatiently, and the lovely lyrical themes are not treated with much affection. I should add that this impression is accentuated by the stereo recording which (in the first movement particularly) thrusts the violin right to the fore, making the tone pretty steely; in the mono version, which has a much more equal balance, Milstein's playing in this movement sounds considerably less tough and unyielding.

“In fact, I begin to wonder just how much one's reaction to violinist, in a concerto recording, is conditioned by the balance. Heifetz seems much too "grand manner" for this lyrical work, and Campoli too heavy, but they are the two who are too near to the microphone. Morini is appropriately gentle and lyrical, but then, she is farther away; and as with the present disc, she is more satisfying in mono than in stereo, owing to a better balance. Ferras sounds by far the most intimate, but after all, the balance is the most lifelike, being very near to what one hears in a concert hall (he is the only one who appears to play really quietly in the Canzonetta). There seems to be a great danger, in stereo recording, of spotlighting a violin concerto soloist excessively, which engineers in general would do well to reflect on.

“Reviewing the four discs available last month, I gave pride of place to Erica Morini for her pure tone, classical line, and delicate sweet expressiveness; but on listening again, I'm not sure I wouldn't choose Ferras; if he tends to sentimentalise a little, he does enter more deeply into the feeling of the music, and is more effortless in the virtuoso passages. But if you like a powerful treatment of the work, I strongly recommend Milstein, who is in general less fiercely recorded than Heifetz.”

Incidentally, the superb liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket were written by San Francisco Chronicle Music Critic Alfred Frankenstein, while the striking cover photo of Milstein on the jacket front is uncredited.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the jacket is VERY GOOD. There is some wear and creasing, particularly along the edges, as well as discoloration to the rear panel – in all, slightly tatty. However, there are no seamsplits, owners' markings, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and very attractive. Overall, this rates as a very good collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP itself is VERY GOOD. Although there is some occasional light surface noise, in general the playback is quite fine. However, those wanting a flawless or near-MINT copy are kindly advised to look elsewhere. Overall, this rates as an excellent collector's copy.