Beethoven . Sibelius Beethoven Violin Concerto, Op 61a Sibelius Violin Concerto, Op 47 Christian Tetzla vn Deutsches Symphonie

On the 'Sony Classical' label - Acclaimed violin virtuoso, Leonidas Kavakos, returns with his newest album ‘Beethoven Violin Concerto’. Kavakos is recognised across the world as a violinist and artist of rare quality, known at the highest level for his virtuosity, superb musicianship and the integrity of his playing. By the age of 21, Leonidas Kavakos had already won three major competitions: the Sibelius Competition in 1985, and the Paganini and Naumburg competitions in 1988. He now works with the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors. Leonidas Kavakos has also built a strong profile as a conductor. He has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Danish Radio Symphony orchestras. The album is released a year ahead of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary in 2020. Kavakos has won numerous prestigious awards including a Gramophone award and ECHO Klassik award.

He is one of the "superstars" of the piano world. An exceptional teacher – his pupils include stars such as Arcadi Volodos or Claire-Marie Le Guay – Dmitri Bashkirov’s debut with Claves combines a most original programme with orchestra. Face to face; we have: Johann Sebastian Bach’s most famous son; Carl Philip Emanuel; forbearer of the great Romantic composers; and an unusual Ludwig van Beethoven. This particular Concerto op. 61a is indeed very rarely played; copying almost note for note the original score of the Violin Concerto op. 61.

Sibelius' 20th-century masterpiece is unique in its beauty, and is a favorite in concert halls worldwide, with its Scandinavian Romantic themes. A must for the serious violinist! Includes a high-quality printed music score and a compact disc containing a complete version with soloist, in split-channel stereo (soloist on the right channel); then a second version in full stereo of the orchestral accompaniment, minus you, the soloist.

The Sibelius violin concerto is a wonderful piece. And because great violin concertos don't grow on trees the work has been recorded by all of the top violinists. Dong-Suk Kang may not be as famous as Joshua Bell, but he handles this work with great skill. Scandanavian music broods a little and Kang has just the right hint of melancholgy. His technique to my ears is excellent and Naxos engineers have created a clean sound. The Slovakian orchestra holds its end up nicely.