Posted by Alex C on January 25, 2004 at 11:36:10:
In Reply to: Jake V-M Concerto Recording posted by Jon Meyer on January 25, 2004 at 09:09:22:
The Jacobs recording is unfortunate.
Barenboim was in a hurry. The orchestra hadn't played the piece in several years. Barenboim thought that he'd get a take on the first try and told Jacobs to play with the orchestra the first time through. It wasn't a very good tke .
I understand that the orchestra and soloist eventually played the piece 7 times total. No "rehearsal" of the orchestra was done seperately.
When the orchestra was struggling Jake was fresh, by the time the orchestra was playing well, Jake was tired. The editors pieced together the final version from the 7 takes. The editing is poor with rhythmic interruptions, tempo changes and sound changes.
Jacobs plays well throughout but the final version is just not very good.
I blame Barenboim for an opportunity lost. Fletcher's recording with LSO is one I would recommend but you should own the Jacobs version.