Composer: Alban Berg, Johannes Brahms
Performer: Renaud Capuçon
Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor: Daniel Harding
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Erato
Catalogue: 9733962
Release: 2012
Size: 307 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
01. I. Allegro non troppo
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace
Berg: Violin Concerto ‘To the Memory of an Angel’ (1935)
04. II. Andante – Allegretto
05. I. Allegro – Adagio
I’ve long dreamed of playing with the Wiener Philharmoniker,” said violinist Renaud Capuçon in 2011, and his dream has come true with this recording of two concerto masterpieces of the Austro-German repertoire: the Brahms and the Berg, composed almost 50 years apart. The conductor is Daniel Harding, who has built a close relationship the legendary Viennese orchestra.
Renaud Capuçon’s brace of the Brahms and Berg violin concertos makes this an attractive release for Virgin Classics, though the drab cover might make it easy to overlook, and the antique appearance of the artwork could make it off-putting to classical newcomers. Capuçon is one of the most engaging young stars of the violin, and his fresh playing suggests nothing of an old-fashioned or stodgy approach. Accompanied by Daniel Harding and the Vienna Philharmonic, Capuçon plays Brahms with a light, soaring expression that is highly appealing, and his Berg is gentle and reflective, with a transparent line that communicates emotion in a satisfying song-like manner. The impulse in both performances is lyrical, and Capuçon’s instincts for preserving a connected melody and suspending it with little show of effort make both concertos marvelous artistic experiences. Virgin’s reproduction is rich and warm, especially in the ensemble blend, though the violin is always front and center, and it is never overwhelmed by the orchestra at its fullest or most forceful.”