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| Michael Rabin, 1936-1972 | 
 enlarge | Creators: Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Brandl, Max Bruch, Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Grigoras Dinicu, Edward Elgar, Carl Engel, Alexander Glasunow, Alexander Glazunov, Fritz Kreisler, Jules Massenet, Felix Mendelssohn, Federico Mompou, Niccolo Paganini, Sergey Prokofiev, Maurice Ravel, Nikolai Rimsky-korsakov, Camille Saint-saens, Pablo De Sarasate
Label: EMI Classics
Category: Music
List Price: $63.98
Buy New: $41.71
You Save: $22.27 (35%)
Buy New/Used from $41.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  (20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 56788
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 6
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 4.9 x 2
MPN: 64123
UPC: 077776412320
EAN: 0077776412320
ASIN: B000002S35
Release Date: October 4, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
A Fitting Tribute To The 20th Century's Greatest Violinist April 1, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
If you don't have these CD's get them, you won't be disappointed, especially if you love the violin as I do. If you're a Rabin fan too then this small investment is money well spent. A better set of recordings of violin classics couldn't be found anywhere. Rabin quite simply was the greatest violinist of the 20th century, rivalling, and in some ways surpassing the venerable Heifetz. He was also known for his phenomenal virtuosity and 'voluptuos' tone somewhat reminiscent of Perlman.
This boxed set includes many of the virtuoso pieces that made him famous as well as more reflective pieces like Bach. Listen to these and judge for yourselves what a truly great violinist was Rabin.
One thing no one else mentioned March 22, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Before I get to that, I want to say that apart from loving Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" I have never been that gung ho on classical violin music. It was just OK. Then I watched this movie called "Rhapsody"(1954) with Elizabeth Taylor and two gorgeous, talented actors: Vittorio Gassman and John Ericson. Anyway, Gassman's violin solos in the movie are all done by Michael Rabin. I had never heard of him before. I was blown away by his renditions of various pieces by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy in the film. (You can catch the film on Turner Classic Movies.)
Here's what no one else mentioned: Rabin's rendition of "La plus que lente" by Debussy. How could other reviewers not be as moved by this as I was? I have compared his version to those of Perlman and Heifetz. Rabin's is better: more lush, softer, sweeter. Critics say because he died young, he "hadn't fully matured" on the notes accompanying the CD, but I don't see how he could have played better even had he lived longer.
Rabin's sad life story would make a great movie, I wish I had connections in the film industry. If you love classical violin, this CD set is for you!
A must for all violin lovers December 11, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I can't really add much to what has already been written below except to say that I have spent my life playing the violin and listening to all the greats, and in the end, I must confess to preferring Rabin over all others, including Heifetz. He managed to combine all the technique possible along with the most sensuous tone (the overtones make my ears hurt at times) and romantic style. He is the violinist everyone dreams about, whether they know him or not. Whenever I hear a violinist today who is reputed to be a top player, it amazes me how far the fall short of Rabin.
Among the great selections on these CDs: his first Paganini 1 (slightly more brilliant than his later stereo version), Wieniawski 1 (puts Shaham and Perlman to shame), Engel Sea Shells (trills), Chopin Nocturne (singing double stops), St. Saens Introduction & Rondo (the stereo version), Tchaikovsky concerto, Scriabin Etude (how does he play this???), most of the Paganini caprices, Hora Staccato (only violinist with a more brilliant upbow staccato than Heifetz), and many many more. He also played fabulous Bach, to answer those who say he never played the great German works, and he was one of the earliest to record solo Ysaye. I admit to not liking some of his interpretations, such as the Mendelssohn and Bruch, but to quibble would be absurd-- he was so young after all.
The cost of the set may be high, but worth every penny. It will provide many hours of enjoyment, and will never cease to amaze and move you. The only recording missing would then be the early album released from Sony/Columbia.
A Must for Violin Music Lovers! October 9, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Thank you, EMI, for reissuing this. I have been waiting for it since 2000. And now my dream has come true. The sound of this CD set was superb. It allows us to have a glimpse of this genius. I have now come to appreciate what Galamian, one of the greatest violin teachers, meant when he said, "almost extraordinary talent - no weaknesses, never!", when he referred to Michael Rabin.
One wonders if Rabin lived longer (he died tragically at the age of 35), what would have happened? At least Rabin would have ranked the same as Heifetz and Milstein? Would Heifetz still be "the violinist" of the 20th century?
This set comprises some best-loved concertos and also some not-so-popular pieces, such as Ysaye's violin sonatas and Engel's "Sea-shell". These works undoubtedly showed Rabin's faultless techiniques. But not only that. Rabin also produced some solid, rich, warm and sweet sound - most violinists lack nowadays. I particularly like his Wieniawski and Glazunov - you could sense his passion through these two concertos. Needless to say, his Paganini was impeccable. One could hardly find a better set of the 24 Caprices!
This is a must for all violin music lovers!
Ultimate violinist July 7, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
"Hear Rabin, and know that the gods have not forgotten the violin"
-- Claudia Cassidy
Not knowing who Rabin was, I bought his CD "Michael Rabin -- The Early years" while I lived in Munich Germany and without much expectation (since I didn't know of him), I listened to the CD. After finishing listening to his part, I rushed back to the music store again, buying whatever Rabin CDs I could get. And boy, I am so glad that I did!!!!
The "Michael Rabin 1936-1972" is really a must for anyone who appreciates to be touched deeply by music, especially violin.
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