Jaime Laredo - The Complete RCA And Columbia Album Collection

Of the many great musicians I have had the honor to work with, Jaime Laredo is perhaps the kindest and gentlest. In the 50 years that I have known him - as teacher, conductor, chamber music colleague, and friend - I have never heard him utter an unkind word. Jaime is not only an exceptional violinist and violist, he is also a wonderful teacher with a great intuitive ability to spot and nurture talent, supporting and encouraging young musicians to want to do their best. He is ageless and surprising, and he has become a repository of generations of musical memories. From Cochabamba in Bolivia to the southern hills of Vermont, from receiving early accolades as a teenager to seeing his face depicted on a postage stamp, Jaime wears his accomplishments lightly, choosing always to be present in the moment and dedicated to discovering the aesthetic and expressive in music, in people, and in life. It is simply a joy to work with him and to be in his company. These recordings are a tribute to the beautiful artistry of this remarkable human being.

- Yo-Yo Ma

This collection is representative of only part of Jaime's life, but it is a wonderful celebration of a career rich in achievement and far from concluded. I, along with countless others, wish Jaime many more years of work and play, and look forward to hearing his inimitable artistry far into the future.

- Emanuel Ax