Jascha Heifetz has been called the first and greatest of all virtuosos. Critics agree when RCA Victor once dubbed him The Violinist of the Century . Now all of Heifetz s stereo recordings are being issued together in a single Sony Classical box of 24 CDs, coupled by composer and remastered from the original analogue tapes in 24-bit / 192 kHz and DSD® quality. Heifetz authority John Maltese provides a new introductory essay.Less than two weeks after his sensational US debut at Carnegie Hall, a 16-year-old Russian émigré named Jascha Heifetz protégé of the legendary St. Petersburg violin teacher Leopold Auer and already acclaimed in Europe made his first Victor recordings. Some 40 years later he began re-recording much of the mainstream violin repertoire for RCA Victor in stereo. These performances find Heifetz at his most intense and glowing, wrote Gramophone in its March 1988 obituary, and their continued release on CD is building up a stunning three-dimensional sound-picture of Heifetz at his peak. In warhorses like the Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius concertos, his stereo LPs set new standards. Reviewing a previous reissue, ClassicsToday exclaimed: Heifetz and Munch play the [Beethoven] with a classical poise and chiseled perfection. It goes without saying that Heifetz s flawless intonation and ear-catching articulation leave most other players in the shade. As for the Mendelssohn, this is simply the greatest performance yet recorded. The work was made for Heifetz: Mendelssohn was himself a romantic of classical restraint and created a virtuoso showpiece that requires total control over the instrument. Another typical Heifetz review, this time from Fanfare on his Bruch and Vieuxtemps: There was simply no one who could play this florid Romantic music like Heifetz ... This is the finest recording of Bruch s masterpieces ever made in terms of both performance and sound. As the Gramophone obituary also noted, it is doubtful if any other international soloist lavished so much time and energy on chamber music, notably in the concerts and recordings with cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, which began in 1961 and are documented in this collection. Heifetz s repertoire also featured a vast array of show-stopping virtuoso pieces and his own brilliantly effective transcriptions. Those are also generously represented in this box set. The great violinist s last session was a live recording of his last public performance, on 23 October 1972 in Los Angeles. Here it is complete on two CDs. Critic Tim Page has written that the program in both its planning and its execution was not markedly different from one Heifetz might have offered decades before. From the beginning of the Franck Sonata rapt, centered, directly linear in its phrasing, immaculately aristocratic in its bearing there can be no mistaking the artist ... There is something noble about Heifetz s constancy. Few performing artists have exercised such meticulous control over their creative lives.
G**R
and these classic historic recordings have never sounded better than in their most recent remasterings
Is this the only "violin box set" you'll ever need to purchase?Well - perhaps. Heifetz remains nonpareil, and these classic historic recordings have never sounded better than in their most recent remasterings. In addition, the master had the good fortune of being accompanied by the finest orchestras, conductors, and individual musicians. Certainly, no one will be disappointed by the good value represented in these recordings; neither the neophyte building a classical library, nor the experienced collector.Having said that (sorry Larry David) I must say that while Heifetz' technique and musicianship always leaves me in awe, it never brings a tear to my eye. Yes, the finale of the Tchaikovsky makes me want to jump out of my seat (thanks to Reiner/Chicago as well) but truth be told, there are other violinists who pull on my heart strings a lot more. Just one example: Milstein playing Mendelssohn's violin concerto is to die for. And generally, I prefer Perlman who has/had the technique as well as the interpretive skill.Oh well - chaque on sont gout. Who am I to argue with Perlman (and others) who regarded Heifetz as the greatest violinist of all time? I can say this: if you are fortunate enough to purchase this box set you will not regret it. Indeed, you will hear musicianship of the highest order in the finest sound ever available to us mere mortals.
R**H
Beautifully Remastered
I finally can review my purchase of Jascha Heifetz - The Complete Stereo Collection Remastered. First of all a huge thanks to my seller for the packing of my set, If you have the chance to buy this set grab it while you can, this set sis out of print and the remastering is top of the line. Heifetz in Remastered Stereo is such a pleasure to kick back and listen.
V**R
Good quality at very good value
Quality very good. Packaging damaged.
S**.
Greatest violin playing with best sound engineering it could be
As a hard core violin fan, I bought this set a year ago to complete my collections. Since then it's been the only violin set that I've been listening on the road or at home. (by the way I have to rip off all CDs into a USB in order to play in the recent vehicle model which does not have a CD player anymore). It contains all recordings the Mr. Heifetz had in his later 50s and 60s. And it's startling that except for the difference in sound quality, the recordings sound like have been made a week apart compared to his early recordings. I am only sorry that I missed Rubinstein and Feuermann in the trios. Cannot be more thankful.
L**Y
The Astounding Heifetz in Stereo
I have been listening to these CD's a little at a time and loving it. Its a few weeks, and I've gotten to the 8th CD. The Heifetz-Piatigorsky pairing is astounding and I'm in no great hurry!I am almost 78 years old. The only problem I have is time. Will I live long enough to truly know these amazing performances? It's worth a try.If you are a violinist, this is what could come from your instrument. If you aren't a violinist than you can listen and just be amazed.
J**E
A
A
S**R
Heifitz ++++
It is wonderful. It may take a lifetime to listen to a lifetime of Heifitz, but it is wothwhile
A**R
Violin playing at its best
Great. The sound quality was excellent and Heifitz's skills were fully on d.isplay
J**Z
Compra que vale cada centavo
Excelente colección, calidad de audio y presentación.
S**K
Violin music lover should have this collection even if you never like his playing before.
Simply sublime violin playing and remastered sound. I never appreciate Heifetz playing chamber music. Now I do, esp. the Beethoven's Piano Trio Opus 1, No. 1. I had this vinyl album in the 60's and has waited 4 decades for this CD.His Mozart is also a new discovery for me. Never imagine I actually love his Mozart.The marvelous remastering is responsive for my rediscovery of Heifetz sound. I have listened to him since early 60s. One would found his sound rough occasionally, but not anymore. It is silky smooth.
ロ**ン
凄い演奏です。
ハイフェツは、他とは圧倒的にレベルの違う余裕の演奏力と表現力で、どの演奏を聴いても圧倒されます。ライナーやミュンシュが指揮をしているため、柔らかく押し出しの少ないオケとなっていますが、十分に楽しめます。ハイフェツは大好きなヴァイオリニストというわけではありませんが、年に数回は取り出して聴いています。大好きではなくても、毎回感動を味わえます。
O**
Is it not possible to give GOD's Fiddler more than 5 Stars.
These recordings fill me with emotions that are difficult to express in words alone.The composers of the works played by Heifetz would doubtless have made him the dedicatee of their compositions.The intonation and clarity of every single note is a thing of great beauty and the pleasure lives with me and gives me the comfort I need to live and eventually to die.
S**O
Five Stars
God of violinists
