Mendelssohn & Bruch: Violin Concertos

As a young virtuoso, Jascha Heifetz made his name with his lights-out playing of the Mendelssohn violin concerto that opens this release. In this performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the focus is on Heifetz’s dazzling precision; his tone is so bright, it’s laser-like. (Though he’s got some vibrato to show off as well.) The violinist’s winning exploration of Bruch’s first violin concerto makes this release a galvanizing tour of Heifetz’s art.