1979 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Classical Album! Itzhak Perlman (born August 31, 1945) is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries, renowned for his brilliant technique, direct interpretation and precision. This recording of the Brahms is considered one of his finest. Carlo Maria Giulini (1914-2005) was an Italian conductor acclaimed for the incandescent spirituality and electrifying dynamism of his music-making, and for the remarkable level of ensemble perfection and balance. In 1955 he had made his American debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, leading to a 23-year association with the orchestra; he was its Principal Guest Conductor from 1969 to 1972, although he continued to appear with them regularly until March 18, 1978. Cut at Abbey Road Studios from the original stereo analogue master tapes with the Neumann VMS82 lathe fed an analogue pre-cut signal from a specially adapted Studer A80 tape deck with additional 'advance' playback head, making the cut a totally analogue process. Pressed on 180g vinyl to audiophile standards using the original EMI presses by The Vinyl Factory in Hayes, England. This pressing features the original album artwork. In the original November 1977 review in the GRAMOPHONE Richard Osborne remarked: "This strikes me as being an exceptionally fine performance, drawing one deeper into the music at each new hearing... Giulini and Perlman clearly know what they are about. More than ever before I am aware of the extent and reach of Brahms's writing for the solo violin, of the grave, persistent line of the music... Perlman and Giulini have given us an account of the Concerto which will, I am sure, gratify and move many Brahmsians, and more especially those who see the music of this great composer cast in a grave, heroic mould." Recorded on 30 November and 1 December 1976 at the Medinah Temple, Chicago, by the legendary team of producer Christopher Bishop and engineer Christopher Parker.