Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Franz Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky, Antonio Vivaldi
Performer: Isaac Stern (violin), David Oistrakh (violin), Leonard Rose
Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra, Columbia String Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Eugene Ormandy, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bruno Walter, Alexander Hilsberg
Number of Discs: 3
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Sony
Catalogue: G010001222623Q
Release: 1990
Size: 908 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
Bach: Violin concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Andante
03. III. Allegro assai
Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in A Minor, RV 522
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Larghetto e spirituoso
06. III. Allegro
Haydn: Violin Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Hob. VIIa:1
07. I. Allegro moderato
08. II. Adagio
09. III. Finale. Presto
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216
10. I. Allegro
11. II. Adagio
12. III. Rondeau. Allegro
CD 02
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
01. I. Allegro non troppo
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace
Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor, Op. 102 “Double Concerto”
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Andante
06. III. Vivace ma non troppo
CD 03
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
01. I. Allegro moderato
02. II. Canzonetta. Andante
03. III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O 14
04. I. Allegro molto appassionato
05. II. Andante
06. II. Allegretto non troppo – III. Allegro molto vivace
07. Ravel: Tzigane, M. 76 (Version for Violin & Orchestra)
Isaac Stern’s loyal fans and students of his techniques may find this historical set compelling, but others may deem it less than satisfactory. Stern’s playing is masterful and heartfelt, and his fairly romantic interpretations reflect their time, so appreciation of his performance style is really a matter of taste. However, the boxy, compressed sound of the set is detrimental to casual enjoyment, and even with Sony’s minimal digital remastering, these mono Columbia recordings from 1947 to 1957 are likely to disappoint the unsuspecting. Beyond the bothersome sound problems, the Bach and Vivaldi concertos with Eugene Ormandy are the least invigorating, due largely to the Philadelphia Orchestra’s heaviness. Stern’s performances of the Haydn and Mozart concertos are lively and bright, though both are plagued by roughness in the upper octaves and thin bass. The second disc is worthwhile, if only to have Thomas Beecham’s warm rendition of the Brahms Violin Concerto and the brooding Double Concerto with Bruno Walter. Musical values trump the uneven recording, and if one listens past the hiss, many rewards are in store. The Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn concertos suffer from orchestral flatness, though Stern’s part is clear and vibrant in both. Ravel’s Tzigane receives an astonishing performance and offers the most vivid sound quality in the set.