Oddly, I've got it on physical CD and it lasts 83 minutes, which I didn't think was possible.
Yeah they can go up to like 86 now -- there's a couple of those on that giant Bach box released last year. The highest I've seen before the last couple years is 82:27 and going by the track listing this one should actually be right around there (I had heard the max about ten years ago was 82:30)
Interesting review, and I share your puzzlement at the staggered distribution.
"Both of those original performances came from Itzhak Perlman and it’s interesting how different the two virtuosos sound – both brilliant, but familiarity will probably mean the Perlman versions will remain most people’s go-tos."
The above observation is likely accurate. This board offers ample evidence that people have trouble casting off their first impressions. The really interesting thing would be to have an informed discussion of the differences in the two artists' playing. That's above my pay grade.
What?!? Those are news that have passed me by too. I thought the max was 79:59 or something like that.
There are been a few film music related releases have have gone over the 80 minute mark, such as the Chandos Rozsa disc and that Hitchcock thing on Toccata.
Regardless I've been posting about this for years, I have discs at least as early as from 2000 that go over.
I think that the reason that some people do not like the album is that the themes are so extremely familiar that totally changing them stylistically can be a shock that is not favorable. The new arrangements will likely grow on people over time.
Totally agree. I thought it was a great album precisely for the reason it was conceived with all the new arrangements, virtuoso passages and all. Frankly, a new version of a theme when just the violin is taking the main melodic line over the orchestra is not that interesting. There are fantastic stuff here, keeping the music more alive than ever.
I recently found a new copy of the Deluxe Edition for $14 and quite enjoy the album. I enjoy the original versions more, but it's nice to have Mutter's versions too.
