Beethoven: Violin Concerto & Two Romances

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The warmth and sweetness of James Ehnes’s tone stand him in very good stead, and his pianissimo playing conveys an admirable sense of mystery. He’s greatly helped by having a sympathetic fellow-violinist... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2017, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 20th Oct 2017
Catalogue No: ONYX4167
Label: Onyx
Length: 71 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

November 2017

Editor's Choice

Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

Work length42:56

Album only

James Ehnes
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze

I. Allegro ma non troppo

Track length23:24

Album only

II. Larghetto

Track length9:40

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

III. Rondo. Allegro

Track length9:52

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

Beethoven: Romance No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in G major, Op. 40

Work length6:40

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

James Ehnes
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze

Beethoven: Romance No.2 in F, Op.50

Work length8:08

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

James Ehnes
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze

Schubert: Rondo for violin and strings in A major, D438

Work length13:33

$2.00

$2.80

$3.50

James Ehnes
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze

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Beethoven’s Violin Concerto represents the supreme challenge for violinists. Far from being a virtuoso display piece, this is chamber music on a large scale, the last and greatest ‘classical’ violin concerto, giving the soloist no place to hide with a solo part that is often very exposed against sparse orchestral accompaniment. A lukewarm reception at the concerto’s premiere in 1806 led to it being forgotten until Joseph Joachim resurrected it in the 1850s and restored to its rightful position as one of the greatest and most popular concertos for the instrument. This is James Ehnes’ first recording of this concerto, and he is supported sensitively by the award winning RLPO and fellow violinist-turned-conductor, Andrew Manze. The combination of soloist, orchestra and conductor on this recording is a dream team.

Reviews

Christmas 2017

The warmth and sweetness of James Ehnes’s tone stand him in very good stead, and his pianissimo playing conveys an admirable sense of mystery. He’s greatly helped by having a sympathetic fellow-violinist as conductor: Andrew Manze keeps a tight grip on things, never allowing the music to meander, as it sometimes can. This is essentially a traditional performance…but certainly none the worse for that.

November 2017

The rich, warm sound of the RLPO strings here may come as a surprise, though it’s a perfect complement to the soloist’s sweet-toned, Apollonian approach...Technically, Ehnes’s playing is a marvel...But, really, it’s his – and Manze’s – thoughtfulness and patience that make this recording so satisfying...Ehnes and Manze have given us a Beethoven Concerto to stand among the very best.

November 2017

Ehnes is probably my favourite violinist working today, a poet of the instrument… the Beethoven concerto is the star here, and Ehnes and Manze have given us an interpretation for the ages, one that stands proudly alongside the competition, and, in many cases, faces it down.

15th October 2017

Any danger of a routine account of this popular concerto is instantly dispelled by the freshness and colour of the opening bars...Ehnes’s fluent playing has similar virtues. In his hands, the finale’s repeated main theme is always a delight, so perfectly articulated.

2nd November 2017

His playing may be understated, but it is as secure and eloquent in the tricksy Kreisler cadenzas as it is in the unadorned melodies of the slow movement, and every note has something to sing about...Manze draws out a fine Beethoven sound from the modern instruments of the Royal Liverpool Phil, strong yet transparent, and they play their socks off in support.

Beethoven: Violin Concerto & Two Romances

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