This is the second volume of Naxos' overtures and other instrumental music from Auber's operas, offered once again by the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice and conductor Dario Salvi. The biggest news here is the presence, not of the promised overtures, but of the Auber Violin Concerto in D major, which receives its world recorded premiere. The concerto is an early work, from 1805, but not a student piece, and it made Auber's name after it was played at its premiere by one of the leading Parisian virtuosos of ...
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This is the second volume of Naxos' overtures and other instrumental music from Auber's operas, offered once again by the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice and conductor Dario Salvi. The biggest news here is the presence, not of the promised overtures, but of the Auber Violin Concerto in D major, which receives its world recorded premiere. The concerto is an early work, from 1805, but not a student piece, and it made Auber's name after it was played at its premiere by one of the leading Parisian virtuosos of the day, Jacques Mazas. It has echoes of Mozart, and perhaps pre-echoes of Mendelssohn, but it is an entirely original work, and very French. It's well worth a revival even if the violin melodies in the outer movements have a slightly squarish quality. The concerto receives a sparkling performance by violinist Marketa Cepicka. The overtures included are paired with entr'actes from the same operas. They are a lot of fun and are fine examples of the work of this largely forgotten...
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