Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1; Serenade; In Memoriam

Bäumer, Hermann, NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, Weithaas, Antje

CPO 777 846-2

Max Bruch is perhaps the most famous one-work composer. As the author of his Violin Concerto No. 1 he enjoys worldwide fame, while his Scottish Fantasy only rarely continues to be performed, and everything else more or less has fallen into oblivion. Nevertheless, Bruch continues to hold many a rewarding discovery in store, which is why cpo espoused his cause quite some time ago. We are now announcing a very special highlight: we have obtained the services of the outstanding violinist Antje Weithaas for this new recording of Bruch's complete oeuvre for violin and orchestra with the NDR Radio Philharmonic. Bruch's friendships with Joachim and later with Sarasate very much inspired him, with the result that this work group by far accounts for the largest share of his symphonic oeuvre. Three concertos (no, counting the four-movement Serenade, actually four), the Fantasy, a Concertino, and various single movements: now that is a little violin Concerto cosmos all of its own. And when a gifted artist like Antje Weithaas rouses these sleeping beauties, then fairy-tale magic is in the air. On Vol. 2 this superb violinist turns to Bruch's first violin concerto, which enjoyed such a spectacular success beginning right with its premiere in 1868 that during later years Bruch feared that he would be remembered merely as a »one-hit-wonder.« Unfortunately, he was quite right on this point! The recording also includes the great Serenade, that is, what was actually Bruch's fourth violin concerto, and the gripping In Memoriam.

CD

21.05.2015

761203784622