Heifetz plays Mendelssohn

In the April issue, US violist Miles Hoffman chooses his five favourite classical discs. He begins with this recording of Jascha Heifetz performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor with Thomas Beecham conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

'My love for the violin, and for music, began with this piece and this 1949 recording. When I was a little boy I would go to sleep to the RCA Victor LP virtually every night, and I still can’t listen to it without fighting back tears (and losing the fight). Heifetz’s playing cold? The tenderness and beauty of the slow movement are heart-melting. And I’m staggered by the variety of sonorities Heifetz achieves within any two bars.'