Bruch Weithaas

Over the course of his life Max Bruch often made uncomplimentary remarks about the piano as an instrument – even though he himself was an outstanding and successful pianist. On the whole it was not until his later years that increasing occupation with the piano could be observed in his compositions. His late chamber music with the piano and the Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra may be understood as a return to this instrument. The selection of piano works recorded here by the pianist Christof Keymer demonstrates beyond any doubt Bruch’s mastery in the compositional treatment of the piano and its special resources. Here we find a cosmos of romantic emotional worlds that in Bruch’s hands produce original, unique tones.

Jascha Heifetz was, probably, the greatest twentieth-century exponent of his instrument. Violin at its best, although some memorable recordings are … more memorable than others…

In the 19th Century, music stood at a crossroads: Liszt and Wagner representing an aesthetic revolution while stalwarts such as Brahms and Max Bruch stood by the classic form. Bruch's style was fully developed by 1860, and though he lived and worked for another 60 years, the composer's work stands as a unified whole. This recording of Bruch's Symphony No. 1 and Violin Concerto No. 3 testifies to the consistency of the composer's vision. Though separated by over 20 years, they speak to Bruch's unfailing ear. Vividly performed by Richard Hickox and the London Symphony Orchestra, the works are vibrant and physical without sacrificing harmony or tonal structures.

Award-winning violinist Jack Liebeck brings his impassioned tones, fulsome emotional display and formidable technique to the first of three albums of music by Max Bruch.

Chung's recording of two beloved Bruch (pieces) is filled with fervent youthful energy and at the same time fragile delicacy. Chung's ability to express the powerful energy not forgetting the detail always amazes me. Simply, the two Bruch recrdings are such a beauty that no word can describe.
One of the best classical cds!
Kyung Wha Chung does a wonderful job of expressing the small details of Max Bruch… All the energy is expressed, just as Bruch intended it to. A must have for all classical collections.- Amazon Reviewer

These are the best reproductions I have ever heard of these famous recordings. All credit to Mark Obert-Thorn, who created them from pre-war US Victor sets. In the early days of audio tape and long playing records, it was rumoured that the original masters of the Elgar concerto in the EMI vaults had been destroyed after a transfer to audio tape had been deemed satisfactory. True, the audio tape transfers when issued on LP sounded good enough, but many music lovers regretted that future processing work on the original masters was no longer an option. Well, here in a new century and at the price of a cup of coffee and a sandwich are miracles of sound reproduction that banish all regrets. Of all the recordings Elgar made of his music, this is the one that has the least "historic" sound to modern ears. String playing in the old-fashioned "slide from note to note" way was apparently something Elgar allowed or encouraged when he recorded his orchestral works, but it is barely evident here, and even less so in the playing of the young Yehudi Menuhin. The recording of the Bruch Concerto, an all round success, was made in London's Small Queen's Hall in 1931 and was, I believe, Menuhin's first concerto recording.

Anyone who knows and loves the warmth of expression in Bruch's famous first violin concerto will find the same lyrical gifts amply displayed here - the slow movements are particularly heartfelt and Bruch, even at this late stage in his life, seems to have had an undiminished fund of touching melody. That is not to suggest that the Romantic ardour of these works is solely confined to the slow movements, though: the opening 'allegro' of the octet, for instance, contains writing of deeply felt passion too, as does the development section of the string quintet's first movement.

Ultimate Campoli? Forget the persiflage. This is just damn good Campoli - a player of charm, personality, technical eloquence and hugely musical instincts…