Best Samuel Barber Violin Concerto

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.