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Mercury Living Presence Boxed Set CD47 van55
Henryk Szeryng, violin - Antal Dorati, London Symphony Orchestra 
Schumann: Violin Concerto in D Minor / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor / Encores

Schumann detractors have said that the organic unfolding of this Violin concerto is evidence of his final mental illness. I agree that the outer movements are difficult for both performer and listener. But the middle movement, marked Langsam, is a poetic utterance of the greatest inspiration, and worth the price of admission all by itself. What a tragedy that this concerto was withheld from publication by his friends, and unknown for so many years.
Szeryng's facility, natural phrasing and impeccable intonation are wonderful as always, but with this musician virtuosity alone is never the point. What's special is how unerringly he finds the spiritual center of the piece, and he never lets go. The tone on this CD is especially great. As renowned violin collector Herbert Axlerod once said, his violin is one of the best concert violins in the world.
Get this CD for the heart-rending middle movement of the Schumann and for the sparkling Bartok Rumanian Dances. I can't imagine anyone playing either piece more beautifully. Finally, if you need a recording of the Mendelssohn concerto, this one should more than satisfy you. And don't let the analog source deter you: the sound is very good.