Forget the odd coupling that fills up two late-Romantic violin concertos with Schubert's 2nd Symphony: this is an important reissue for all violin lovers. Nathan Milstein's recordings of Dvorák and Glazounov violin concertos count among the greatest performances of these works. Steinberg may not be the most sympathetic accompanist--flat and impersonal as his conducting is, he never interferes with Milstein's supreme lyricism and warmth. If the opening of the Glazounov Concerto doesn't display the same grace and heavenly atmosphere as Julian Sitkovetsky's legendary recording with Kondrashin, Milstein's bow sings with a natural flow that's hard to match. His refined tone and tight vibrato find in the Dvorak Concerto's caressing slow movement a perfect vehicle of expression, while his impeccable virtuosity is a feast in the tuneful Finale, where Milstein translates the "giocoso" mood with wit and spontaneity. The Schubert symphony sounds a bit mechanical and studious, except maybe in the fast-paced finale, but that's not the first reason to buy this CD. The wide-ranging sound has been carefully restored, and even the symphony's 1952 mono recording displays clarity and presence, if not the ultimate degree of refinement.

--Luca Sabbatini