One famous American violinist described Yehudi Menuhin’s playing to me as an example of “mind over reality.” This sadly applies to this 1963 Bach E major Concerto with the English Chamber Orchestra, where Menuhin’s thin tone and dicey intonation is a far cry from his robust, communicative, and technically fabulous teenaged self (with Monteux conducting). Considering the overall excellence (sonic, orchestral, and violinistic) of Menuhin’s studio recorded Mendelssohn Concerto with Efrem Kurtz and the Philharmonia Orchestra, I can’t hear any reason for listeners to prefer his inferior fiddling in the June 30, 1964 traversal preserved here. But a vital and inspired reading of the Brahms Double Concerto follows the Mendelssohn. Guest cellist Mstislav Rostropovich dominates not so much by force of personality as by his gorgeous, centered tone and eloquent phrasing. He’s more “on top” of his part than Menuhin is, although the violinist finds his expressive bearings in the slow movement. I personally prefer the tauter and superior sounding 1985 EMI recording, flanked by cellist Paul Tortelier and the London Philharmonic under Paavo Berglund’s baton. Even though Menuhin’s tone had shrunk further in size by this time, his playing is impressively focused and secure. Tully Potter’s annotations are informed, frank, and ungushingly affectionate.
