Violin Concerto Op. 61, Violin Romances Op. 40 & 50

Do you really need another recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto? If you are reading this review, chances are you have at least one (or, like me, several) versions already. Don't let that put you off, because this album features outstanding playing, conducting and recording - at a ridiculously low price (you get the two Violin Romances thrown in for good measure). And as other reviewers have noted, the cadenzas are by Beethoven himself, written for his own piano arrangement of this work - which, incidentally, deserves to be far better known than it is.

Very well reviewed when the CD was first issued, these are first-rate performances. excellent in every way. Tetzlaff gives absolutely secure accounts of all three works, but there is nothing routine about his approach - there is a great deal of vigour, a great deal of poetry and a wonderful sound throughout (Tetzlaff plays on a modern instrument by Peter Greiner and it sounds magnificent - I see that Leonidas Kavakos, Isabelle van Keulen and Kim Kashkashian use or have used instruments by Greiner too - quite a clientelle!). He uses the cadenzas Beethoven wrote for his piano version of the Concerto, eschewing those by Kreisler, which he describes as 'alien' to the Concerto. I'd rather have Kreisler, but there it is! The Concerto comes up fresh and alive and there is nothing to quarrel with here. Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchestra give an excellent account of the score - lean and strong rather than lyrical and reflective, but there is no absence of repose where required ; the second movement is very beautiful. The Romances are done full justice, with the same virtues of musicality and technical assurance, and the recording is absolutely first-class. The price is almost ridiculously low for this quality, and this is a marvellous buy.

Over the years I have listened to so many versions of the this work with differing reactions. The one reaction I need from this piece is joy and a sense of uplift - the piece is after all one of Beethoven's sunniest! The performance here from both Orchestra and Soloist is beyond comparison in my estimation. Obviously the work has been done to bring the maximum amout of 'period authenticity' and the tempi are quick in comparison with many adding to the excitement but not blurring any edges. The Tonhalle Orchestra use period brass and tympani giving a crispness and lightness that emphasises the rhythms and gives a spring and dancelike quality to many passages. I would recommend this above all other available although there is much good stuff out there. Enjoy!!

Also very satisfied.

A superb rendition of the Beethovn, the cadenzas are stunningly played. The violin has a wonderful range of power and subtlety.

A beautiful recording of beautiful music. I listen to the last track almost every night before going to sleep because it helps my mind to relax.

This is a performance os very special interest. Just because of the cadenzas of Beethoven himself, written for a piano version of the violin concerto.

This is such a freshly different crisp version of the violin concerto which is immediately obvious from the opening and it simply gets better. Of the ten recordings I have on CD this performance brings such a fresh stimulating perspective to the concerto. The honours are equally shared between the soloist, conductor and orchestra and the sound is so beautifully clear. This is without doubt a very special recording of the violin concerto and the two fine accounts of the violin romances add to the attractions of this marvellous disc.