20TH CENTURY VIOLIN CONCERTOS   

 

With violinists Xiao-Dong Wang and Dene Olding, classic violin concertos from last century are represented in this brilliant 2-for-1 CD. Featuring concertos by Szymanowski, Bartok, Martin, Milhaud and Barber, this double-CD set explores some of the great music for violin.

 

There is something for everyone in this dazzling collection. Szymanowski's first concerto is based on the program of a poem 'A Night in May' by Tadeusz Micinski. One of the wonders of Bartok's magnificent second concerto is its ability to reconcile Beethovenian classicism with the earthy vigour of Hungarian peasant music. Martin's Violin Concerto is a characteristic example of his mature style, which blends and harmonises the tendencies of French and German music. Despite Milhaud's reputation for being the enfant terrible of the music world, his Violin Concerto No. 2 is surprisingly lyrical and beautifully written for the instrument. And if music is measured by the tunes it contains, no wonder Barber's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra has been enjoyed more than most American compositions.

 

CD 1

KAROL SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937)

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1, Op. 35

Vivace - Andantino - Vivace assai

 

BELA BARTOK (1881-1945)

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2, Sz112

Allegro non troppo

Andante tranquillo

Allegro molto

 

Xiao-Dong Wang violin

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Omri Hadari conductor

 

CD 2

FRANK MARTIN (1890-1974)

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Allegro tranquillo

Andante molto moderato

Presto

 

DARIUS MILHAUD (1892-1974)

Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 263

Dramatique. Recitatif - Anime

Lent et sombre

Emporte

 

SAMUEL BARBER (1910-1981)

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 14

Allegro

Andante

Presto in moto perpetuo

 

Dene Olding - violin

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Hiroyuki Iwaki

 

ABC Classics 2cds ABC4764333