Mendelssohn & Glazuvov: Violin Concertos

Read About This Recording

The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto is one of the cornerstones of the concert hall repertoire. Every student violinist at some point gets to try to tackle its technical challenges. While this concerto is not nearly as technically demanding as the concertos by Brahms or Paganini, it requires a special gift of phrasing in order to make the long, sustained passages sound musical. There is no shortage of recordings of this great piece, but it is always good to hear a new take on the melodies that Mendelssohn created.

With this CD we can enjoy the talents of one of the leading violinists of the new generation: Leila Josefowicz. As you will hear, her playing is warm and she has a rich sound that seems to luxuriate over Mendelssohn's passages. This is not to say that she can't handle the technical demands, because she can and does very successfully. This Mendelssohn Violin Concerto is a little more relaxed than some I've heard, but the slower, more delicate approach works well.

Also on this disc is the Glazunov Violin Concerto. While not as well-known as its Romantic-concerto brothers, this wonderful work has begun to be played more frequently and it's good to see a young violinist essay the piece. If you like the Romantic-style concerto than you will enjoy adding this one to your collection. As a bonus the recording also includes Tchaikovsky's Valse-scherzo which leads me to wonder what the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto would sound like in Josefowicz's hands.

In all three works the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and conductor Charles Dutoit provide a big-sound accompaniment that never overwhelms the soloist.

—Jacob Anthony

Contents

Plus, Tchaikovsky: Valse-scherzo; Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A Minor.

Leila Josefowicz, Violin; Montreal Symphony Orchestra; Charles Dutoit, Conductor.