Milstein/Fistoulari: Brahms Violin Concerto Op. 77 (rec. 1960) - Angel 36000, NM

Jacket NM / LP NM

This beautiful LP from Angel (36000, US pressing, blue label, mono) features the legendary Nathan Milstein's passionate and deeply eloquent account of Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 77, recorded with conductor Anatole Fistoulari and the Philharmonia Orchestra at EMI Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, on 23 June 1960. This is exalted violin playing by any measure and all those who treasure the art of the violin will find much to admire here.

Wrote the critic R.F. in his review for the May 1962 issue of The Gramophone:

“This is a virtuoso performance in every sense. I found myself giving less attention to the orchestral side of the music than usual, and perhaps less to Brahms; the spotlight is very much on the soloist. I must hasten to add that this is by no means due to the balance, which is excellent. It is due, needless to say, to Milstein. He is an assertive player, glorying in his astonishing technique, and producing a wonderfully smooth quality of tone with what in an opera singer would be called a magnificent 'line'. His intonation is almost flawless and he never sounds overtaxed by the difficult passages. As an exhibition of brilliant violin playing this record would be hard to beat. But there are, in my view, better performances of the concerto. The first movement somehow does not quite cohere as an interpretation, and I felt that neither the soloist nor the conductor quite had sufficient architectural sense judged by the very highest standards. For instance, Fistoulari's rubato near the start of the development section struck me as intrusive, and the orchestral playing was a little lacking in solidity and fire. Instrumental solos are usually audible when the soloist is playing, and though there were times when I suspected the balance was being artificially assisted, Milstein is obviously willing to subordinate his part when necessary. I have never heard the oboe come through so well at the start of the slow movement recap as it does here. Milstein plays this slow movement more quickly than any other soloist I can remember except Heifetz. His tempo hardly accords with Brahms's adagio marking, but the passionate playing is impressive and I enjoyed this off-beat approach to the music. Milstein attacks the finale with tremendous gusto and expertise. You cannot but admire him whenever he is playing; in the greatest performances you admire the composer as well. The cadenza is by Milstein himself.”

There are authoritative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by producer Richard C. Jones, printed in English only. The memorable cover photo/design of Milstein is uncredited.