Review by Ivymike August 2, 2005 (11 of 11 found this review helpful)
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Two great performances here, in somewhat different sound and different technologies.
The Brahms, recorded in February, 1955 on 2-track 30 ips tape, is rather laid-back. I listened to this the same evening I listened to the Strauss disc and this one sounds as though the treble has been equalized a bit; even the tape hiss is reduced in level. The soundstage is large and reverberant, though not as pleasingly so as on the Strauss disc, and rather "billowy." The hole-in-the-middle effect is most noticeable here because Heifetz appears as a big, diffuse blob rather than a discrete point int he soundfield. What's more, his image is shifted slightly right of center. It's all pleasing enough but not in the same class as the Strauss disc in terms of sound quality. I'd give this one 3 1/2 stars for sound and 4 for performance.
The Tchaikovsky was recorded in April, 1957 on 3-track 15 ips tape. Gone is the diffuse, blurry central image of Heifetz; played back in three-channel mode he's right there in the room with me, set out in front of the orchestra. The latter sounds wide and big and robust, with recording levels set high. The woodwinds are placed beautifully in space behind Heifetz. Tape hiss is moderate in level, higher than on the Brahms. This is a well-recorded and beautifully played and belongs in any collection. I'd give this one 5 stars for performance and 4 1/2 for sound quality.
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