Tír Na HiFi

Hi Fergus, this is a lovely thread, it's a very fine read, well done. I will deliver my thoughts on Bruch's delightful piece later this evening.

Listening this evening to a recent purchase, a recording of the Bruch coupled with the second Prokofiev violin concerto, as performed by the young Norwegian violinist Guro Kleven Hagen in her debut recording.  She exhibits a finely judged balance of refined delicacy and youthful vibrancy, and, crucially, a sense of playfulness which escapes many older violinists.  These are exceptional performances that are beautifully lyrical whilst retaining a crispness and a lightness of touch in their pacing and in the clarity of the string textures.  Serious comfort food which cries out for the repeat button on your CD player.

Seán wrote:Hi Fergus, this is a lovely thread, it's a very fine read, well done. I will deliver my thoughts on Bruch's delightful piece later this evening.

Thank you Seán; I look forward to your contribution.

mcq wrote:Listening this evening to a recent purchase, a recording of the Bruch coupled with the second Prokofiev violin concerto, as performed by the young Norwegian violinist Guro Kleven Hagen in her debut recording.  She exhibits a finely judged balance of refined delicacy and youthful vibrancy, and, crucially, a sense of playfulness which escapes many older violinists.  These are exceptional performances that are beautifully lyrical whilst retaining a crispness and a lightness of touch in their pacing and in the clarity of the string textures.  Serious comfort food which cries out for the repeat button on your CD player.

That statement certainly piques my interest. In fact it sounds like a good recommendation overall!

This is the only version I have of this work although not this cover, its part of a boxset. Some wonderful virtuosic playing by Mutter here but being honest I think she's outshone here by the soaring BPO at the hands of HvK. Enjoyable concerto although I always have a preference for Mendessohns Violin Concerto which also features on the boxset I have.

the Mendelssohn I just discovered recently when I got this.... it's beautiful....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Mendelssohn and Bruch violin concertos seem to be traditional stable mates when violinists go into a recording studio. Perhaps that is a direct throwback to the days when both concertos could easily fit onto an LP.