James Ehnes plays Mendelssohn

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The Octet has rarely sounded more symphonic as Ehnes and his Seattle friends demonstrate all the energy and wit of chamber playing at its most dazzling. Ehnes gives an elegant, refined account... — Classic FM Magazine, March 2011, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 1st Nov 2010
Catalogue No: ONYX4060
Label: Onyx
Length: 57 minutes

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February 2011

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Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

Work length26:45

$4.50

$6.30

James Ehnes, Philharmonia Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy

I. Allegro molto appassionato

Track length12:45

$2.00

$2.80

II. Andante

Track length8:16

$1.50

$2.10

III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace

Track length5:44

$1.00

$1.40

Mendelssohn: Octet in E flat major, Op. 20

Work length30:42

$5.00

$7.00

James Ehnes, Erin Keefe, Andrew Wan, Augustin Hadelich, Cynthia Phelps, Richard O'Neill, Robert DeMaine, Edward Arron
Vladimir Ashkenazy

I. Allegro moderato ma con fuoco

Track length13:49

$2.00

$2.80

II. Andante

Track length6:31

$1.00

$1.40

III. Scherzo

Track length4:29

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Presto

Track length5:53

$1.00

$1.40

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Favourites, Felix Mendelssohn

David picks out some recordings of the German Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn.

Mendelssohn’s E minor violin concerto is one of the composer’s greatest works, and one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertoire.

Making his first recording of the work, James Ehnes is partnered by Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia, recorded live.

The astonishingly precocious Octet, written when Mendelssohn was just 16, is given a sparking and vivacious performance by James and his friends from the Seattle Chamber Music Society.

His previous ONYX release of the Paganini 24 Caprices was universally praised by reviewers worldwide.

Reviews

March 2011

The Octet has rarely sounded more symphonic as Ehnes and his Seattle friends demonstrate all the energy and wit of chamber playing at its most dazzling. Ehnes gives an elegant, refined account of the Violin Concerto that highlights its unconventional structure, but it's not without emotion. Including the exhilarating Octet makes it unmissable.

February 2011

The first thing that hits you about Ehnes's reading is the rhythmic propulsion of the concerto's outer movements, which lifts the music, revealing its glorious bone-structure...the sense is of a joyous, exhilarating ride rather than anything overly driven...Another aspect which is particularly winning is the creaminess of Ehnes's lower register...this is absolutely up there with the best of them.

January 2011

His tone...is sweet in all registers and the intonation true

December 2014

Ehnes nevertheless manages to rejuvenate the work and illuminate it in new ways; but to be honest, I've chosen this disc at least as much for the Octet as for the Concerto. The Seattle Chamber Music Octet produce a gloriously rich sound that gripped me from the opening bars!

21st November 2010

Brisk tempi mark out James Ehnes's reading of Mendelssohn's perennial concerto; there is nothing cloying or sentimental, even in the luscious slow movement where lesser violinists are tempted to wallow. Instead, he gives a beautifully sincere, unaffected performance

19th November 2010

Ehnes’s gorgeous, supple tone is combined with that instinct for a composer’s distinctive character that makes his interpretations so compelling. Ashkenazy conducts with delicacy and strength...Ehnes’s innate sensibility draws him into the music’s milieu for a performance that is outstanding and unreservedly recommended.

James Ehnes plays Mendelssohn

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Favourites, Felix Mendelssohn

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