Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto, Op. 35

In fact, this is my favorite recording of the Brahms, largely because of Milstein's combination of knowing musicianship coupled with his HUGE tone; Fistoulari and the Philharmonia give him a magnificent accompaniment. Strangely, although he recorded it also with Vienna Philharmonic under Eugen Jochum, the warmth of tone on this recording puts it ahead of what might have been expected to be a superior recording. Also, he recorded it with William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh (and oddly, they accompany him in the Tchaikovsky on this disc--I wonder why EMI/Seraphim didn't combine the two Pittsburgh performances on this disc?) but, again, the Fistoulari/Philharmonia sound outscores the Steinberg/Fistoulari; also, Steinberg seems somewhat self-effacing in his Brahms accompaniment. In this recording Milstein's playing is more intense in the outer movements, more lyrical in the Adagio. No question in my mind, this is the Brahms/Milstein to get if you're going to have just one.