Beethoven, Bruch Violin Concertos (Hybr)

Without giving away much, if any, of the work's rhetorical and dramatic grandeur, Grumiaux explores the Beethoven Concerto's depths with a tone of great beauty and mature phrasing that is utterly convincing. The great Larghetto is sung with melting sweetness, yet never cloys, the Kreisler cadenza is played with plenty of finesse, and the final Allegro is exciting in its own relatively subdued way. There's virtuosity to spare, but in a reading of such knowing understanding it serves the music, not the urge to show how fast or flashy an artist can be. He gets excellent support from conductor Colin Davis and the great Concertgebouw Orchestra. Even if you have multiple versions of this Concerto, Grumiaux's belongs on your shelf. The Bruch Concerto is probably that composer's main claim to fame, and it's been beloved by fiddlers and audiences since it was written. Here, Grumiaux amply demonstrates his affinity for such High Romantic pieces, his lovely tone is perfect for Bruch's melodies, and Wallberg and the Philharmonia partner him well. Made in the early 1970s, Pentatone's quadraphonic remastering brings new freshness and life to the recordings on both the CD and SACD layers. --Dan Davis