This is one of the finest recordings of the Bruch violin concerto (#1). I think it ranks up there with the Heifetz/Sargent. Of course Heifetz takes each movement a bit faster, but the slightly slower tempos do not make much difference (unlike in many Brahms vl.c. recordings.) The sound quality is much better, with good balance, and the orchestra playing is smooth and fluid and clear. Some recordings like Perlman/Haitink seem to have very bombastic orchestral entrances at some places. That is not the case here - Sinopoli is exciting without beating you upside the head.
As for Shaham, he is also very good - no technical problems, and a very clear silky sound. He is not as melodramatic as Mutter (which seems too unruly/melodramatic to me), but this is a romantic intrepretation nonetheless. There is some very interesting, dramatic sliding in the first movement (around 4'20?) before the big orchestral entrance - I've never heard anyone do that before. Definitely worth checking out.
The Mendelssohn I would give four stars - the first movement seems a little slow and less inspired. The second movement is beautiful, but once again, the third is not so exciting as in the Bruch. Perhaps it is that Shaham seems a little heavy handed - there are more sprightly readings out there. I like a Milstein or Menuhin better for the Mendelssohn. This is still a fine recording, but after the Bruch it seems anticlimactic.
So I recommend the CD - Heifetz fans can stick with Heifetz if they want, but anyone looking for a good modern recording of the Bruch should try this one.
