Violin concerto

"Znaider is a wonderfully supple player, and his partnership with Colin Davis is clearly highly productive: the way Davis shapes the orchestra around Znaider's silvery spun line in the slow movement is an object lesson in how to support a soloist. Znaider also has all the virtuosity the bravura passages demand, and the way he launches the ­finale is dazzling".

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"Recording of the week: The Elgar is a work which wears its heart squarely on its sleeve (the composer sheepishly described it as 'awfully emotional'), and Benedetti embraces its full-throttle ardour with open arms ... And there's something about her rapid vibrato and lean, muscular tone which puts me in mind of the very earliest recordings of the piece ... The three evergreens which follow are beautifully done, and given with an almost homely intimacy".

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"Vilde Frang has had the Elgar in her repertoire for a number of years ... She has been teamed with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under their music director Robin Ticciati for a very forthright, intense reading that is at its most comfortable in the slow movement and at its most erratic in the outer ones ... The slow movement is the least problematic in terms of technique and emotional temperature and though I still feel some overemphasis in her playing, it's a moment of expressive repose to which she responds pretty well, and so does the orchestra, which plays soundly throughout ... The recording of the concerto took place in the Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin and is fine. No complaints. However, the performance doesn't convince me".

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"CD der Woche: Es ist wundervoll zu spüren, wie der französische Geiger diese innige wie verhangene, von tiefer Melancholie wie Wärme geprägte Klangsprache aufnimmt ... Keineswegs nur als Zugabe steht die Violinsonate e-Moll an der Seite des Violinkonzerts. Und auch dies ist nicht zu bemerken: Dass Renaud Capuçon und Stephen Hough noch gar nicht lange gemeinsam im Duo agieren ... Edel und sensibel ist auch das Zwiegespräch dieser beiden grossen Künstler".

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"I don't know how long Renaud Capuçon has been living with these Elgar works or how often he's had the opportunity to perform them in concert but he displays a fine feeling for both of them. In particular he's in tune with the introspective, melancholy poetry in these two scores. I enjoyed both performances very much and Capuçon certainly made me think afresh about the concerto. His partnerships with Sir Simon Rattle and Stephen Hough have been very fruitful. I would encourage all Elgar devotees to hear these thoughtful and thought-provoking performances".

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"This album brings out in earnest what Capuçon himself mentions as the nobility, tenderness, and poetry of Elgar's writing. A fine effort and one I recommend without reservation".

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"What is 'special' about this version? To my ear it is the total unity of vision between soloist, orchestra and podium ... Manoukian is completely on top of this work which is demanding both in its length and virtuosity. Throughout, this is a vibrantly passionate performance but one that does not sacrifice beauty of tone. At the same time, she does not exaggerate the music's high Romanticism ... The disc is completed with two Elgar miniatures for violin and piano ... There is a touchingly intimate simplicity to the playing here that allows the spirit of the music to shine through ... A potent and exciting team. More please".

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"En på alle måder fortræffelig udgivelse. Rent teknisk er det svært at sætte en finger på noget, og det musikalske niveau og fantasien i fortolkningen er meget, meget stor ... Hans forrige cd, en indspilning af Barber, Korngold og Waltons violinkoncerter var fremragende, og denne er mindst lige så god. Her demonstrerer han atter en overskudspræget virtuositet med en smuk tone, men denne gang med en endnu dybere følt udførelse som resultat. En af verdens førende Elgar-dirigenter, Sir Andrew Davis, hjælper ham godt på vej sammen med det London-baserede Philharmonia Orchestra".

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"Editor's choice: Thoughtful is how I'd describe Jurowski's conducting ... Perhaps the most moving aspect of this performance - also testimony to Benedetti's knack of getting under the skin the piece - is the finale's haunting accompanied cadenza ... Benedetti shines a beam on [the Concerto's] reigning quality: sincerity. Nobility too ... Although other digital versions (Ehnes, Hahn, Znaider, Kennedy etc) have also moved me, none that I can recall has made me more keenly aware of just what a great work this is".

"Elgars romantiska och innerliga konsert, komponerad för Fritz Kreisler, lever ett liv i skymundan av Brahms, Tjajkovskijs och Mendelssohns konserter, men förtjäar verkligen en plats jämsides med dessa och Benedettis fullödiga och uttrycksfulla violinton passar den här själfulla musiken perfekt. Oemotståndligt vackert".

"Graffins performance with the ever-understanding backing of Vernon Handley and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is most distinguished. I cannot remember one on disc that so magically exploits the range of pianissimo that the score asks for ... The sound is first-rate and the disc comes with comprehensive notes".

"Recording of the month: Some of the very best recordings of Elgar's Violin Concerto take me back to ... 1910, when Elgar conducted Fritz Kreisler in a now legendary world premiere. This newcomer is one of these ... Vilde Frang's performance is a genuine exploration right from her delayed entrance - an unexpected and magical effect which captivated that first audience and captivates again here ... Her understanding of Elgar's kaleidoscopic writing is instinctive at all levels ... Every lover of Elgar's masterpiece should try to hear this magnificent addition to the library".

"Vurdering: Editor's choice" - "A performance of conspicuous pedegree and insight guaranteed to make you fall in love all over again with this sublime music and which can only boost Ehnes's standing as one of the most gifted and charismatic fiddlers around".

"Den 31-årige canadiske violinist James Ehnes er på sin nye indspilning en perfekt solist. Han har en utrolig velfriseret, aristokratisk stil med overlegen kontrol over klang og artikulation".

"James Ehnes has a lovely ripe vibrato and an expressive opnenness that touches the heart from his first entry".

"Editor's choice: This highly engaging performance by Rattle, the LSO and Renaud Capuçon has all the athleticism Elgar's score demands ... Capuçon's interpretation is undoubtedly an exceptional one in its affection and sympathy for the long, plangent lines of Elgar's score; it is also a reading intensified by the empathetic support and élan of Rattle and the LSO".

"Zehetmair is a player of extraordinary imagination and the entensity of his performance ... is somewhat that draws the listener into the heart of the work in a most exciting way ... Elder and the Hallé are magnificent partners, relishing every moment of the extremely virtuosic writing, and Elder is never afraid to unleash the full power of the orchestra".

"A somewhat dry recording does not always do justice to Elgar's beautiful scoring ... There is more richness and warmth to be found in the work's subtle textures".

"Manoukian's account of the Elgar [Concerto] is brimful of expressive fibre, acumen and intrepid character. Moreoever, she distils no want of wistful tenderness or fragrant poetry when the music demands it ... Manoukian is watchfully partnered by Stefan Solyom and his beautifully prepared Weimar band (which can boast a particularly eloquent viola section) ... Her playing evinces both passion and grace in abundance. Well worth checking out".

"Tasmin Little's performance has much of this freedom and ardour, something which may sound spontaneous but can come only from long study".

"Vurdering: E - Editor's choice" - "Little, on the other hand, finds an element of wit in the fast-moving figuration ... Crowning the whole project is a stunning performance of Elgar's 1916 tribute to beleaguered Poland during the First World War ... recording that is outstandingly vivid even by Chandos's highest standards".