Encores

Audiophile 180g Virgin Vinyl LP! Mastered from the Original Masters of Universal Music! Pressed at Pallas! Violinist Nathan Milstein performs compositional works by by Kreisler, Schumann, Handel & more. He is accompanied by pianist Leon Pommers. What the short story is to the novel, the 'encore' is to the standard work in the concert repertoire. It's plot, so to speak, is simple, it's content concise, it's point quickly made. And among it's attributes is the fact, well illustrated by Milstein's choices here, that it may be drawn from almost anywhere. It may be one movement of a longer work for the instrument, or a transcription of a piece originally composed for another instrument, or it may be - as in the curious case of the Kreiser 'Classical Manuscripts' - what has been delicately termed an 'impersonation'. Among other things, a collection of encores offers a bird's eye view of a performer's capabilities. In the case of Nathan Milstein, of course, any need for an evaluation of that kind has long since become superfluous. A recital such as the present one simply creates the opportunity of enjoying old favorites played by one of the great violists of our time. 'The execution is without doubt superb. Milstein here is on top of his form, playing with a verve, sparkle and studied virtuosity that is most invigorating. The recording in both mono and stereo versions is excellent, with very forward violin tone - sufficiently forward for one to feel that in all probability one will never get physically closer to Milstein's violin in one's life.' - Gramophone