Brahms: Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77 / Schumann: Fantasy For Violin And Orchestra In C Major, Op. 131
Miracles CAN happen! Anne-Sophie Mutter is a great violinist, no doubt about it (and the highest paid classical performer in Germany, according to some sources). Kurt Masur is reliable, but rarely inspired. Well, here's one of those evenings where everything went just right, for this is a Brahms concerto that stands shoulder to shoulder with the great recordings of the past. Mutter plays with her customary scrupulous attention to detail, but also with a more than usual dose of passion and fire, especially in the zippy finale. Masur follows her like a shark on the scent of blood, providing accompaniments that are sharply characterized and rhythmically taut--simply stunning.--David Hurwitz