Bernstein conducts Brahm's string concertos in all their rom
Mike Birman | Brooklyn, New York USA | 04/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gidon Kremer in the Violin Concerto and Double Concerto (with Mischa Maisky) subsumes his usual analytical style and partakes of Bernstein's Romantic persona, producing splendidly expressive performances with long legato lines emphasizing the vocal, song-like Brahms. Maisky is a powerful performer on cello but holds back somewhat, allowing a softer, more expressive voice to shine through. Together, they produce a beautifully lyrical performance of the Double Concerto. Bernstein's romantic vision of this relatively lesser known concerto, which usually sounds slightly busy in its inner lines, allows Brahm's lovely melodic writing to shine. This is an exemplary recording of this somewhat problematic work. These recordings were made in the early 1980's and have proven staying power. They were originally released on CD by DGG two decades ago. It is wonderful to be able to see them. The video is digitally clear and free from artifacts, well filmed by Humphrey Burton. Sound in both PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 is clear, just slightly thinner than today's sound.
Bernstein's romantic vision and Kremer/Maisky's softer, more lyrical performance style are strongly recommended.
Mike Birman"
Great audio, but video gives me motion sickness
W. Tang | California | 12/28/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have this on Laserdisc and DVD. Both suffer from what I would call a sailing-type motion on the video. The video slowly moves up and down due to the way it was filmed. Its quite noticeable on my television, and even more so on my computer screen. After a while, I get dizzy watching it. Other than that, the audio is great, as the review above mentions. Bernstein's conducting is brilliant. Kremer does a great job on the violin, especially on the Double Concerto. Maisky is brilliant as ever. I would give this video five stars if it wasn't for the filming problem."