Tchaikovsky / Conus: Violin Concertos

This is an intriguing coupling of concertos by Tchaikovsky and Julius Conus from the young violinist David Garrett. Tchaikovsky's well-loved Violin Concerto responds well to the overt emotionalism of the younger generation of interpreters and Garrett's heart-on-sleeve approach ensures an impetuous performance that brings out his own Russian roots. Conus' concerto provides the pleasant surprise. Violinist David Garrett could hardly have wished for better circumstances in which to set down his interpretations. DG's close recording was made in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and really enables one to get to the heart of Garrett's reading. The Russian National Orchestra under Pletnev provides the ideal support, encouraging Garrett to ever greater virtuosity and expression. Moscow-Conservatory-trained Jules Conus came into contact with both Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. He wrote his Violin Concerto in 1896, 15 years after Tchaikovsky's was premiered. Today it is infrequently performed, although after hearing this account you may well wish to ask why. It inhabits a similar world to the Tchaikovsky. The first entry of the violin, emerging out of a sustained wind chord, is pure magic. The slow movement is the highlight: an interior, touching statement which is the epitome of Romanticism and casts its wistful shadow on to the finale. A record that is certainly deserving of investigation. --Colin Clarke ( sursa amazon.co.uk)

1. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 35 - Tchaikovsky
2. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor - Jules Conus