Johanna Martzy, Erica Morini, Ferenc Fricsay - Dvořák, Bruch, Glazunov: Violin Concertos (2001) CD-Rip

Before the great conductor Ferenc Fricsay died (tragically young at the age of 48 in 1963), he made dozens of brilliant mono and stereo recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. Many of his most significant recordings have been released on CD, though some have already drifted out-of-print (Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart Syms 29, 39-41 and Beethoven Syms 3, 5 & 7) and others are only available as expensive imports. This past year there has even been a limited edition boxed set of his music released (in the "Original Masters" series -- see my review). Well, let me just say that any and all of Fricsay's recordings for DG are worth getting, regardless of what you have to pay! I was delighted to discover that this DG Originals Import of Fricsay performing Dvorak's Violin Concerto with Johanna Martzy, and Bruch's VC No. 1 and Glazunov's VC with Erica Morini, was available through Amazon. (I tried to order it through a European website several months ago only to find it was no longer available, at least according to them.) I was thrilled to finally purchase this CD, and needless to say, the accounts on this disc are terrific. The 1953 mono Dvorak is among the best I've ever heard, though I still prefer Suk's recording with Ancerl (see my review). Morini's Bruch and Glazunov, both in stereo from 1958, are so good they are in the same league as Heifetz's legendary accounts. It is a shame that like Fricsay, Martzy and Morini are also virtually forgotten outside connoisseur circles. Along with Ginette Neveu, and pianists Annie Fischer, Clara Haskil and Gina Bachauer, these women paved the way for an entire generation of female performers and soloists in classical music. In fact, now that I have this disc, my daughter most likely will not let me listen to yet another Heifetz disc. (I've already had to give up my Heifetz Brahms/Tchaikovsky in favor of the Morini CD on Westminster featuring the same coupling -- her new fav!) Well, at least in this household, Morini and Martzy will get the respect due them.