24 Caprices
The tragic career of Michael Rabin, cut short at the age of 35, left  behind only a handful of reminders of his violin genius. Here is one of the most  impressive of them, as well played and exciting a set of the Paganini Caprices  as anyone has recorded. Rabin tears into these pieces with tremendous energy,  willing to sacrifice tonal suavity (of which he had plenty) when the excitement  of the musical moment demands something else. Hearing the whole set at once is  exhausting, and not recommended, but in small enough groups these performances  are exhilarating. The same recording appears in EMI's comprehensive Rabin set  (64123-2), but in mono, this edition is genuine stereo.--Leslie Gerber