Trevor Harvey gave the LP equivalent of Stern's coupling a lukewarm reception and certainly Stern's timbre is but a pale shadow of his famous 1960 CBS recording with Ormandy on LP. Indeed, that immensely involving account was made to sound almost over-rich by close microphones, which also minimized the dynamic range. That earlier performance was much more generously coupled, to the Tchaikovsky Concerto. The new CD offers only the Beethoven Romances and they sound very thin too, the truthfulness of the new medium only serving to emphasize the coolness of the overall effect. Of course there are moments when one is reminded of the calibre of Stern's artistry—the slow movement's coda (of the Mendelssohn) is nicely managed. But, sadly, one must say that, as a whole, this will not do.
Turn to either Mutter (DG) or Chung (Decca)—both players with 'small' violinistic images—and the ear immediately registers much greater warmth and amplitude of tone. Either will give great pleasure and choice can safely be made according to coupling, Mutter offering the Bruch G minor Concerto and Chung the Tchaikovsky. Chung enjoys the attractive ambience of the St Eustache Church, Montreal, which adds an extra degree of bloom to the orchestra, but the DG sound is also excellent.'