Composer: Johannes Brahms
Performer: Julia Fischer, Daniel Müller-Schott
Orchestra: Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Yakov Kreizberg
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Catalogue: PTC5186066
Release: 2007
Size: 3.52 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
01. I. Allegro non troppo
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo
Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Andante
06. III. Vivace non troppo
The partnership of Julia Fischer and Yakov Kreizberg… really comes into its own in the symphonic proportions of Brahms’s Violin Concerto. From Fischer’s opening imposing entry, it’s clear that Kreizberg and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra are at one with her every nuance and tempo fluctuation – dramatic, fiery and impetuous at first but then beautifully lyrical and introverted in the second idea. …the Double Concerto… Fischer and her partner Daniel Müller-Schott are absolutely on the same musical wavelength delivering a blisteringly intense performance supported by outstandingly responsive playing from the Netherlands Philharmonic.
Others offer tauter and brisker accounts of the first movement but Fischer amply justifies her spacious and flexible speeds in the feeling of spontaneity. Her performance never feels selfconscious or too studied and her range of tone and dynamic is extreme, bringing pianissimi of breathtaking delicacy. Fischer’s slow movement, too, is expansive while in the finale she lets the tempo relax just enough to allow a persuasive spring in the rhythms, bringing out the Hungarian dance flavour.
The Double Concerto is not nearly as expansive: no doubt the influence of Müller-Schott was important here as the cello takes the lead in introducing each theme, with the cellist matching his partner in warmth and brilliance. Fischer and Müller-Schott are relaxed and easily lyrical in the slow movement, brilliant and thrusting in the finale. An outstanding disc which stands high on the list of this perfect coupling.
…Julia Fischer offers this ideal Brahms coupling in strong and sympathetic readings, joined in the Double Concerto by her brilliant young compatriot cellist, Daniel Müller-Schott. Her performance never feels self-conscious or too studied and her range of tone and dynamic is extreme, bringing pianissimi of breathtaking delicacy. …in the finale she lets the tempo relax just enough to allow a persuasive spring in the rhythms, bringing out the Hungarian dance flavour.