The last of his orchestral compositions and one of his most enduringly popular pieces, Mendelssohn's violin concerto is as much a crowd-pleaser now as it was when premiered by Ferdinand David and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in 1845. Its unassuming focus on melody and dynamic interaction between soloist and orchestra -- rather than merely on technical feats and virtuosic showmanship -- ensures its place at the heart of the violin concerto repertoire. On the opposite end of Mendelssohn's short career is the Op. 20 Octet, ...
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The last of his orchestral compositions and one of his most enduringly popular pieces, Mendelssohn's violin concerto is as much a crowd-pleaser now as it was when premiered by Ferdinand David and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in 1845. Its unassuming focus on melody and dynamic interaction between soloist and orchestra -- rather than merely on technical feats and virtuosic showmanship -- ensures its place at the heart of the violin concerto repertoire. On the opposite end of Mendelssohn's short career is the Op. 20 Octet, a vibrant, pioneering work completed when Mendelssohn was all of 16 years old. Violinist James Ehnes joins Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra for a superb performance of the concerto. Ehnes quickly demonstrates why he is deserving of all the praise that has been heaped upon him. His playing combines a flawless, effortless technique, with a vibrant, robust tone, and a keen sense a pacing ad dynamics that yields a captivating, gripping performance. Ashkenazy leads the...
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