Beethoven & Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos

Huberman was one of the century's greatest violinists, noted for the profundity of his interpretations and the electric individualism of his playing. His 1934 version of the Beethoven concerto with Szell and the Vienna Philharmonic stands among the best recordings of the piece, especially notable for the rapt intensity of the Larghetto movement. The Tchaikovsky, too, is a recorded landmark. Here, Huberman's flexible rubato, coloristic shadings, and rich tone put to shame the literalism of so many contemporary interpretations. The shaping of the violin's first entry is a virtual lesson in romantic phrasing and the Andante sings with rarely achieved poignancy. Mark Obert-Thorn's transfers are excellent. At Naxos's budget price, there's no excuse for not getting this one, no matter how many versions of these pieces you have. --Dan Davis