Jean Power

Ray released these two albums in about 1969 and 1970 respectively. The quality and sound are first rate in these CD's. Good solid harmony in a selection of some of the top songs of those years as arranged by Ray Conniff. I especially enjoyed the rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters in the typical Ray Conniff style. Wonderful sounds as always!!

The power and intensity of Mutter’s performance of the concerto emerges immediately in the opening phrases. Where most violinists treat them as a deep meditation, Mutter with comparable intensity makes them tougher than usual, using momentarily a vibratoless tone, slightly steely, establishing this more clearly as an llegro moderato first movement rather than a lyrical slow one. Even if one misses some of the raptness of Mullova or Chung, it is a very valid view, and the power of the reading is reinforced by the relatively close balance of the solo instrument, relating this version more to Perlman’s than to any of the others I have listed.