Joshua Bell, Roger Norrington, Camerata Salzburg, Mendelssohn, Beethoven - Mendelssohn & Beethoven: Violin Concertos

Joshua Bell's first recordings of these warhorses stand apart from the hundreds of versions crowding the catalogs in at least one respect, namely his own cadenzas. Beethoven didn't supply his own for the long first movement of his Violin Concerto, and Bell's thoughtful, stylish emendation easily stands with the frequently played Kreisler and Joachim cadenzas as a viable option. His extroverted yet well-proportioned cadenza in the Mendelssohn may not match the original's instant melodic appeal, but it certainly works. Elsewhere, Bell's direct, clean-cut, utterly dependable virtuosity will not surprise his legions of fans, who won't mind that the violin tends to dominate in the mix. Is that due to the engineering, or to Roger Norrington's somewhat reticent accompaniments? You'd think a chamber orchestra would help the Mendelssohn's bubbling woodwind licks emerge with greater clarity. Likewise, small forces are capable of richer, more tonally varied, and sustained string tone in the Beethoven's slow movement, as one hears in the more confrontational and interesting Richard Kapp-Mela Tenenbaum collaboration. --Jed Distler Amazon.com

Joshua Bell pPays Violin Concerto

This album is well done and reminded me of the wonderful concert of his that I had the privilege to attend to. Five thumbs up for Mendelssohn December 18, 2007

Extraordinary violinist

I have seen and heard Joshua Bell playing in a beethoven concert with the Orchestra of St Martins in the field. In spite of his bravura on the violin, I am looking forward for a cd of his recording with the above orchestra: superb! May 21, 2007

Joshua Bell does it once again

If you haven't heard of Joshua Bell, take a tour on Amazon of his recordings. He is a young man with a beautiful hand on the violin. His interpretations are as wonderful as YoYo Ma on cello or Ruth Larado on piano. I sneek a CD of his in every few orders from Amazon. He makes the violin speak and becomes one with it as he plays. February 24, 2006

Overrated Violinist

I don't know why people are attracted to Bell's playing. I think part of it is due to his public image as the young sexy violinist that all the girls like....

Stay away from this recording! Honestly, the Mendelssohn is overly sentimental, and the Beethoven was not serious as all! I preferred the way Menuhin played it, with grace and style and elegance. Sorry, I hate it when people like Bell butcher up two most famous violin pieces. Get the Menuhin/Furtwangler recording. Even the audio is bad, Menuhin's interpretations are SUPREME!

I'm done now. February 15, 2006

Magical!

This is the most amazing recording I've ever heard of Mendelssohn, and Beethoven's violin concertos. Joshua Bell plays with such incredible passion that it's almost magical. I love the cadenzas that he wrote for both of them even better than the original ones that went with the concertos. January 31, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...