Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto

Brahms: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto
Gidon Kremer / Clemens Hagan / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 13137

Contents:

    Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77
  1. Allegro non troppo
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace

    4. Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102
  4. Allegro
  5. Andante
  6. Vivace non troppo

Perfomers: Gidon Kremer (violin), Clemens Hagan (cello), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (direction)

Playing time: 69'

Recording date: March 1996 & April 1997 (Amsterdam, live)

The cadenza in Op.77 is by Enescu.

The different material used here has its interest, from the cadenza to the other version changes in the Double Concerto. I am not sure which I prefer in that area, but I do not think the Joachim cadenza is very interesting.

I like what is done with this music... I hated it at first, but it grew on me. Maybe things are primed for another, better performance. We'll see. I do not care for the ultra-Romantic violin playing. Syrup is dull, yes? I particularly like Kremer's approach to sonority & articulation on the violin.

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T. M. McComb