Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video: Ludwig Van Beethoven - Violin Concerto (1984)

Sophie Mutter and Karajan Never Disappointed.

The only taint I could find is the skill of the camera man. He is obviously not a violinist nor lover of violin. Most of the shots were on the back side of Sophie. For most of the time, audience can not view the left hand finger works which is a very important part of a video on violin performance. March 23, 2008

On the DVD with Karajan and Mutter

There is no doubt on the supremacy of Beethoven's violin concerto in D, and there is also no doubt in the performance again from the orchestra conducted by Karajan where the deep beauty and feeling of the composer has fully and inspirationally expressed through Karajan always. However, my disappointment on this performance is not on the outside expression of Mutter as the other viewer commented. I have bought several Mutter's performances, it led me to believe that Mutter is not qualified as a top violinist because her performances have only skills and have no understanding and expression in the right mode as the music should be

(a few examples will clear that:
(1) Compare the performance of Mutter to Heifitz in the performance of Sarasate's op. 20.
(2) Compare Mutter and Itzhak Perlman in the performances of the Beethoven violin concerto in D,
the quality of a violinist will be clear).

It is also clear to me that Viviane Hagner is much better than Mutter (who is quite talented in making the music alive as it should be)

It is unfortunate that, for those wonderful pieces, there was no joint performances between Krajan and Itzhak Perlman, etc. However, the DVD is worthwhile solely because the great performance and historical record of Karajan and his orchestra, it has nothing to do with Mutter at all. September 9, 2005

I thought Heaven was open.

I played my new DVD-copy in as soon as I got it. After a few minutes of listening, I though Heaven was open and the flood-gate had been demolished. I have never heard anything like that and it moved me so deep. I feel that my whole being has been transformed to the next unknown dimension. Even though I have listened Beethoven's Violin Concerto since 1981; that was 24 years ago. It is averaged about 6 times per week. Still Anne-Sophi's version is a completely new experience. Each note has touched me deep down; and there is no word to describe how I feel. It is as if Beethovan, Anne-Sophi and myself are "one." Anne-Sophi has introduced me to a new level - a born-again Classical lover. One thing that I am sure is: It will be a while before I can listen to another violinist, live or recording - for how long, I just don't know. It seems like I have been hynotised. Her performance has revived my wounded soul. During the playback recital, all I can say was, "Oh, my God." ...... March 15, 2005

My favorite Annie, like angels singing

The Beethoven Concerto is intensely lyrical with an emphasis on melody instead of a display of technique. I find the work to be a vehicle of expression that is full of romance and intricate dynamics. I remember when I recieved this in the mail, I could not stop playing it for weeks, to see a woman that beautiful pouring her heart out is not unlike watching an angel sing.

Of all the recordings in general that Anne Sophie Mutter has made, this is my favorite. Ms Mutter delivers an inspired and emotional performance, and really shows astonishing virtuosity playing the Kreisler cadenzas. She has the ability to vary different forms of vibrato to meet her needs of expression and her intonation is completely flawless. I tend to think she over does it a little with how much vibrato she uses most of the time but she is the artist not me and Im sure she is getting exactly the sound she wants, it is clear to me she is in complete control of the instrument especially with respect to bowing and dynamics in volume and tone. The video was recorded in 1984, (when she was 20) right around the time she bought her second Stradivarious the Lord Dunraven. I tend to think this is her old Stradivarious known as the Emiliani. I heard her sound change when she started playing the new violin but this is a good example of her style before she changed her sound.

Even though the emphasis seems to be on Karajan's conducting, I still loved this video immensely. My only complaint would be showing the soloist from the front instead of placing her behind the conductor as a result of the camera angle during most of the video.

Of course there are videos out there of the Beethoven by Perlman, Kogan, Szeryng, and Francescatti that may be considered better in some way, but they dont look as good as her. If you are a serious violin student I would suggest getting the Kogan DVD but that is black and white and has a dated sounding recording. (The Perlman and Francescatti videos are terribly hard to get and the Szeryng was recorded too late in his career)

If are looking for a nice modern recording and if you like Ms Mutter's style and are looking for a video of violin music full of emotion, or just want to see a stunningly bautiful woman pour her heart out, you must get this, a very worthwhile purchase.

4 & 1/2 stars: thanks again Annie! April 25, 2003

Great audio but video leaves something to be desired

I was somewhat disappointed in the DVD

This is a 1984 recording on the Sony label by H. Von Karajan and Anne-Sophie Mutter: It is part of Karajan`s Legacy recordings.

I've always considered Beethoven's Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 61, one of the greatest pieces of music of all time. The opening orchestral bars have a grandeur to them that is emotionally stirring and uplifting, and the solo violin builds on this theme throughout the first movement. The second movement is slow and deliberate and continues non-stop into the rondo finale, which is simply breathtaking.

I had previously purchased the CD version (recorded in 1980) of this recording and was struck with the beauty of the playing. I thought that the DVD version would give a visual enhancement to the superb audio that I had come to know and enjoy. Sadly, such is not the case. While the music remains spectacular and there is nothing technically wrong with the video, I have several concerns: for instance, I found that camera placements and film editing were less that ideal. Most shots of Anne-Sophie Mutter (at least in the first movement) were from her left side with Von Karajan to her immediate front: this one view became rather monotonous after a while and it was hard to see her finger work from this position. Also, the camera work on the orchestra tended to be tight close-ups of several sets of violins, cellos, clarinets etc.: there where virtually no panoramic views of the orchestra, which I feel, would have been preferred for some of the magnificent orchestral passages: which instead featured mostly Von Karajan.

But, I think my biggest disappointment was the stage presence of Anne-Sophie Mutter, or lack thereof. She appeared to be tense (I suppose who could blame her, given the circumstances): eyes almost never looked up from her instrument. Little or no personality shone through during this performance to go along with the extraordinary music that was coming from her instrument. [In comparison, try to see Gil Shahan's performance of Pablo De Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, opus 25 on the New Year's Gala 97 (ARTHAUS label) and you'll see what I mean about playing with emotion and what an effect it has on the overall presentation.]

All in all, not what I had expected or had hoped for when I purchase this DVD. A 5 star audio recording but the video portion does not do justice to the beauty and grace of Beethoven's Violin Concerto. January 9, 2003

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