Wednesday 3 June 2009

For many years I have had a soft spot for Erich Wolfgang Korngold; probably the only 20th century Viennese composer who will remain in popular affections over the next century. The new Naxos CD of his music features Philippe Quint in the violin concerto, and an extremely fine performance it is, too. Quint is not a well-known name; but in the Korngold violin concerto he is really in his element. The -- somewhat surprisingly good -- orchestral partner is the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria conducted by one Carlos Miguel Prieto. A long way from Vienna, but it all comes over well. This is my eleventh version of this concerto, and it is one of the very finest.

2 comments:

Lee said...

That good, eh Harry? I bought the Beriot duos on Naxos (yet to hear), St Lubin (heard) and also Pleyel on Naxos (heard & highly interesting).

You bought them yet? I know you got the St Lubin. There are others like the Turina, etc.

Regards - Lee

Harry Collier said...

Yes, the performance of the Korngold violin concerto is excellent. Quint plays very well and, most importantly, the integration of the violin with the orchestra, and the perspective between violin and orchestra, are beautifully judged by the engineers. Korngold was a fantastic master of the orchestra, and we need to hear what he intended us to hear.
I am ducking the Beriot duos and haven't yet come across the Pleyel CD. I'll investigate. I have the Saint-Lubin and like it.