Thirty years divide Hungarian composer Bartók’s two violin concertos, their dramas played out with exquisite richness by Capuçon and the London Symphony Orchestra. The First Concerto is a lusciously scored expression of unrequited love for a young violinist, its opening movement sweeping and passionate. The second, final movement, meanwhile, is full of joy with snatches of Hungarian folk song. The Violin Concerto No. 2 is a different beast with its nods to Berg and Prokofiev. A strumming opening gives way to music of thunderous energy, breathtaking virtuosity and beauty, all of which the masterful Capuçon dispatches with a coolness of head but warmness of heart.
- Lisa Batiashvili, Chamber Orchestra of Europe & Yannick Nézet-Séguin
- Magdalena Kožená, Stuart Skelton, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Sir Simon Rattle
- Pierre Boulez, Steve Davislim, Johannes Prinz, Christian Tetzlaff, Vienna Philharmonic & Wiener Singverein
- Xavier Phillips, Les Dissonances & David Grimal
- Kremerata Baltica & Gidon Kremer
- Gil Shaham, Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Pierre Boulez
- Jascha Heifetz, Sir William Walton, Philharmonia Orchestra, William Steinberg, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Wallenstein & Los Angeles Philharmonic