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Rating: 
Summary: The art of Leonid
Review: At the first time I saw this DVD, the cadenza in Beethoven concerto had made me shock, even I've heard Kogan play this concerto so many time. The pity is that EMI hasn't emitted other Kogan's performances like Paganini concerto No. 1 (with the outstanding interpretation of Sauret Cadenza that gave Kogan the first prize in Queen Elizabeth Competition, 1951), Brahms concerto, Tchaikovsky concerto, or Prokofiev concerto No. 1 (which now very rare in old issues of Melodya, one played by Kogan, other by Tretyakov). There is also an interesting comparision with Bach's Sarabande if you've ever heard N. Milstein in Sonatas and Partitas.
The only one thing I don't like much in this DVD is the Beethoven concerto placed in the middle of program. After Handel sonata and some small pieces, it comes to Beethoven concerto. But when the concerto finished, you don't want to come down stairs with other small pieces. It could be better with two concertos on this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, but it's still Kogan.
Review: I am generally speaking a big fan of this Classical Archive Series, and am quite pleased with the compilations (though occasionally wish there were more pieces in the compilations). Thus, it was without hesitation that I decided to purchase the Kogan DVD. After all, he's one of my favourite violinists, and a chance to see him in action is a treat not to be missed.
However, I have to admit I'm quite disappointed with this particular collection of his pieces. The selection is perplexing in its lack of pyrotechnics and finger gymnastics in which Kogan is virtually a nonpareil, and the footage has moments of what appears to be a bleaching of film (in the Beethoven Concerto). It is downright confusing as to why EMI didn't choose to include Paganini Concerto No.1 (in which Kogan excels, especially with the might Sauret Cadenza), or perhaps the Khachaturian concerto (which was briefly seen in "Art of the Violin").
The production still warrants three stars, however, if only because of the quality of playing, which really is quite fantastic. A collection of uninspired programming choices does not diminish the grandeur of his playing, and although I would recommend this DVD to die-hard Kogan fans only, there is still something noble in his contribution to the violin art.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, but it's still Kogan.
Review: I am generally speaking a big fan of this Classical Archive Series, and am quite pleased with the compilations (though occasionally wish there were more pieces on these DVD's). Thus, it was without hesitation that I decided to purchase the Kogan DVD. After all, he's one of my favourite violinists, and a chance to see him in action is a treat not to be missed.
However, I have to admit I'm quite disappointed with this particular collection of his pieces. The selection is perplexing in its lack of pyrotechnics and finger gymnastics in which Kogan is virtually a nonpareil, and the footage has moments of what appears to be a bleaching of film (in the Beethoven Concerto). It is downright confusing as to why EMI didn't choose to include Paganini Concerto No.1 (in which Kogan excels, especially with the might Sauret Cadenza), or perhaps the Khachaturian concerto (which was briefly seen in "Art of the Violin").
The production still warrants three stars, however, if only because of the quality of playing, which really is quite fantastic. A collection of uninspired programming choices does not diminish the grandeur of Kogan's playing, and although I would recommend this DVD to die-hard Kogan fans only, there is still something noble in his contribution to the violin art.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite virtuoso of all time
Review: Kogan!!! Kogan!!! Kogan!!!Mr Kogan was not merely a technician nor is his playing in anyway cold. How do I find the words to describe his magic? Effortless technique, the ability to speak with every note, flawless intonation, expressive phrasing and vibrato, a great sence of timing, delivery of music with finesse and advanced musicality, and sensitivity and emotion in the most intimiate moments. Music included on this DVD includes:
->ANDREI MYTNIK PIANO FILMED IN LONDON, 26 MARCH 1962 1)HANDEL VIOLIN SONATA IN E MAJOR, HWV373
2)DEBUSSY BEAU SOIR
3)SHOSTAKOVICH 24 PRELUDES, OP. 34 NOS 10, 15, 16, 24
->ORCHESTRA NATIONAL DE L'ORTF, LOUIS DE FROMENT CONDUCTOR
4)BEETHOVEN VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 61
->FILMED AT THE ORTF, PARIS. 12 MARCH 1966
5)BACH SARABANDE FROM PARTITA FOR SOLO VIOLIN IN D MINOR
->NAUM WALTER PIANO FILMED IN PARIS, 1968
6)BRAHMS HUNGARIAN DANCE NO. 17 IN F SHARP MINOR
7)PAGANINI CANTABILE
8)FALLA SUITE POPULAIRE ESPAGNOLE ->BONUS/LEONID KOGAN AND ELIZAVETA GILELS-KOGAN VIOLINS FILMED IN PARIS, 21 NOVEMBER 1963
9)LECLAIR SONATA FOR 2 VIOLINS IN C MAJOR, OP.3 NO. 3 The video is in black and white, the sound quality is good but the quality of recording at the time dulls the tone of his DelJesu, even so the man simply plays like he is on fire. I would recommend this video to any violin student without hesitation especially because I believe this is the best video you can get of the Beethoven Concerto. If you like this DVD make sure to get the VHS made by Kultur called "Interpretations by Leonid Kogan" The VHS and this DVD are absolutely essential to any violinist's library. 5 Stars all the way!!!
Rating:
Summary: It is Not Shattering, But...
Review: Those who come with a mind for Kogan's devilish edge comparing him with Heifetz, they may well be diappointed: they may have to look for it somewhere else. Here Kogan plays a number of short pieces, with composers spanning all over Europe playing some German, French, Italian and even Spanish music. The longest piece is Beethoven. It's amazing that after having heard dozens of renditions of the same piece, one stil finds his Beethoven fresh and new and that is despite the fact that the French orchestra doesn't quite give him due support. Needless to say his Shostokovich is unrivalled. It's so amazing that he managed to play Handel nearly as good as Adolf Busch; and his Debussy almost as good as Thibaud and that was despite the fact that Thibaud himself was a Frenchman with the widest imaginable exposure. No wonder Thibaud handpicked him from among his fellow Russian violin pupils. His Bach is not the best one available on DVD, but the French audience seemed exceedingly delighted by it. Hopefully, viewers would find the same. The last three pieces i.e., Brahms, Pagaini, Falla are instead the most intriquing of them all, fully demonstrating Kogan's musicianship. The bonus shows us what an excellent chamber musician Kogan was. Emil Gilels's sister, Kogan's wife though not equally as impressing as either her brother or her husband, does help to bring out Kogan's finest qualities as a musician. There is one thing that is quite extraordinary. We don't always have an appetite for Heifetz, nor Menuhin. One may even get tired of hearing Oistrakh. This may not be the case of Kogan. I have watched this DVD 3 TIMES in a go and still left with an urge to go back to it, and that is despite of the fact that Kogan doesn't have any outstanding accompanist like Emil Gilels or Richter or the like! Marvelous, isn't it? I suppose that is the very essence of musicianship. As to the picture, the worst part comes from his Beethoven where shiny part comes as "blackouts", sometimes a big as a fist and that come a dozen times or so. The grain and resolution of the film isn't quite the best. But the picture is generally quite pleasing as the photography is excellent. There are moments we can actually see how fleshy his fingertips are and how excatly he effected his vibrato etc. The sound is even better than the sight.
Rating:
Summary: There's No Devilish Edge, But...
Review: Those who come with a mind for Kogan's devilish edge trying to compare him with Heifetz or the like, they may well be diappointed: they may have to look for it somewhere else, probably only from his CDs. Here Kogan plays a number of short pieces, with composers spanning all over Europe playing some German, French, Italian and even Spanish music. The longest piece is Beethoven. It's amazing that after having heard dozens of renditions of the same piece, one stil finds his Beethoven fresh and new and that is despite the fact that the French orchestra doesn't quite give him due support. Needless to say his Shostokovich is unrivalled. It's so amazing that he managed to play Handel nearly as good as Adolf Busch; and his Debussy almost as good as Thibaud and that was despite the fact that Thibaud himself was a Frenchman with the widest imaginable exposure. No wonder Thibaud handpicked him from among his fellow Russian violin pupils. His Bach is not the best one available on DVD, but the French audience seemed exceedingly delighted by it. Hopefully, viewers would find the same. The last three pieces i.e., Brahms, Pagaini, Falla are instead the most intriquing of them all, fully demonstrating Kogan's musicianship. The bonus shows us what an excellent chamber musician Kogan was. Emil Gilels's sister, Kogan's wife though not equally as impressing as either her brother or her husband, does help to bring out Kogan's finest qualities as a musician. There is one thing that is quite extraordinary. We don't always have an appetite for Heifetz, nor Menuhin. One may even get tired of hearing Oistrakh. This may not be the case of Kogan. I have watched this DVD 3 TIMES in a go and still left with an urge to go back to it, and that is despite of the fact that Kogan doesn't have any outstanding accompanist like Emil Gilels or Richter or the like! Marvelous, isn't it? I suppose that is the very essence of musicianship. As to the picture, the worst part comes from his Beethoven where shiny part comes as "blackouts", sometimes a big as a fist and that come a dozen times or so. The grain and resolution of the film isn't quite the best. But the picture is generally quite pleasing as the photography is excellent. There are moments we can actually see how fleshy his fingertips are and how excatly he effected his vibrato etc. The sound is even better than the vision.
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