Best Samuel Barber Violin Concerto

Here's one vote for Isaac Stern with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein. First performance recorded in stereo. Absolutely glorious.
Maybe a little forward in presentation but the playing is on a grand scale.

Stern's is probably generally viewed as the best interpretation, though the sonics are not the best. I also like Bobby McDuffie's version on Telarc, but he's a friend and client of mine, so I'm prejudiced. I'm not quite as turned off by Hahn's playing as Dpatrick, but I have heard her play it live and felt she was fine as a technical matter but seemed to lack the emotion that this piece requires--perhaps that will come over time.

In addition to the Stern/Bernstein, I'd recommend Olivera/Slatkin. Olivera has a lovely tone. I wish he'd recorded more. Also Hahn did not make me vomit. I think it's one of her better records.

Thank you thus far. Gil Shaham also has a version of this concerto, any opinions?

I rather like the Ricci/Pacific Symphony version on Reference Recordings.

The Stern/Bernstein needs to be in every collection. But when I want to listen to this piece, I pull out the Gil Shaham. The performance is excellent and the sound betters the Stern/Bernstein. The Korngold concerto on this disc is a wonderful - also well performed.

I just listened to the McDuffie, Ricci, and Shaham versions back to back. Reminds me of the story of the "Three Bears".

Ricci's version is cool and the violin recorded at a distance, more atmospheric than focused. But I like the disc mate, the Menotti VC quite a bit. I filed this CD under Menotti.

Shaham's version is too hot, i.e. recorded (too) closely and the VC tone takes on a bit of edge. It is filed under Korngold, but it's got a lot of competition there as well.

McDuffie's recording is just right! The violin is miked but not too closely, sound field is large yet focussed, a very enjoyable sonic experience. Warm and rich. It matches the mood of this VC. And you get the Barber PC as well (which is why I bought it in the first place). I highly recommend it. Oh, BTW, I think McDuffie's performance is excellent as well. :-)

Another Barber VC to consider (for me an alternative to McDuffie's) is the Slatkin/Takezawa recording on RCA. Not as big boned perhaps as McDuffies but a plesant alternative none the less. An excellent performance and the disc mates are all Barber, the outstanding performance of the Cello concerto by Isseris, and the Cappricorn Concerto.

I heard a really good one by Dave Koz.

a recent addition.. James Ehnes came out with a recording of Barber, Walton and Korngold.. for what it matters.. it won a Grammy last year I believe. I have seen him perform several times.. mesmerizing ..