Violin concerto

"Recommended: The BBC SO is, of course thoroughly familiar with the music of the Second Viennese School, having been taught it by Boulez. They make an excellent team. For the concerto they are joined by James Ehnes, of whom Davis says that he never performed the concerto with more pleasure than with him. Ehnes offers a beautiful performance, showing all the necessary virtuosity in what must be a very challenging solo part but always emphasizing the lyrical line ... Strongly recommended".

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"Recording of the month: The first track on this disc brings us Andrew Davis's orchestration of Berg's Piano Sonata ... The result is a wonderful tapestry of sound ... The movingly beautiful Violin Concerto was the last major work that Berg composed, and one of his greatest ... The work is a perfect balance of lyricism and drama. James Ehnes's performance is magical ... This is a remarkable disc. I enjoyed the two transcribed works, which genuinely add to our appreciation and understanding of Alban Berg's earlier achievement. The performance of the two works of genius - the Three Pieces for orchestra and the Violin Concerto - are revelatory in their sympathy and understanding. It is an album that all enthusiasts of the composer must own".

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"When it comes to the Violin Concerto, theirs is an unhurried reading, with James Ehnes sweet-toned and not afraid to linger in the opening bars ... An ability to shape a narrative of compelling immediacy, allied to an extraordinary level of detail ... [Andrew Davis] ensures that the first movement's mighty brassladen climax is properly powerful ... altogether more cushioned, though there's no mistaking the potency of Ehnes's playing ... In all, the BBC Symphony are on fine form".

"Collectors looking for a new recording of the Berg Concerto need look no further ... In the Beethoven there are a few places where I find Faust and Abbado a shade less natural, but theirs is still an extremely fine performance. The disc as a whole can be recommended very warmly indeed".

"Vurdering: Recording of the month" - "Few recordings of the Berg have achieved this level of detailed commitment from soloist and orchestra ... In recent year, there have been several fine recordings of the Beethoven Violin Concerto. Faust's performance has a grandeur that Christian Tetzlaff ... doesn't attempt to match. Janine Janson ... doesn't quite rival Faust's expressive range or emotional intensity. Outstanding performances of both concertos, then: I'll want to return to them often".