Viola Concerto (completed in 1949 by Tibor Serly), Sz. 120, BB 128
Verklärte Nacht, for string orchestra (arr. from String Sextet, Op.4)
Der Schwanendreher, concerto for viola & small orchestra
This disc is an almost unqualified success. It's wonderful to have Nobuko Imai, one of the world's greatest living violists, record for the first time two of the 20th century central works for her instrument, Bartók's Viola Concerto and Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher, his viola concerto based on old folk songs. With her flawless technique, impeccable intonation, and above all, her calmly confident, yet fully emotionally committed interpretations, Imai's performances are in the same class as the vast majority of her other ...
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This disc is an almost unqualified success. It's wonderful to have Nobuko Imai, one of the world's greatest living violists, record for the first time two of the 20th century central works for her instrument, Bartók's Viola Concerto and Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher, his viola concerto based on old folk songs. With her flawless technique, impeccable intonation, and above all, her calmly confident, yet fully emotionally committed interpretations, Imai's performances are in the same class as the vast majority of her other recorded performances, that is to say, first class, and well worth hearing by anyone who treasures the repertoire. The accompaniments by Switzerland's Orchestre de la Haute École de Musique de Genčve, a student orchestra under the steady hand of Hungary's Gábor Takács-Nagy (the former leader of the great Takács Quartet) are exceptional, because they are so polished and enthusiastic. If the disc has a drawback, it is the inclusion of the Swiss orchestra and the Hungarian conductor's...
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