Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Op. 61, Septet, Op. 20 & Variations on Folk Songs, Op. 105 & 107

Leonidas Kavakos

Released on 10/18/19 by Sony Classical
Main artists: Leonidas Kavakos
Genre: Classical

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The violinist Leonidas Kavakos has many strings to his bow: an acclaimed soloist, he conducts orchestras – his first love – and is a chamber musician. This double album bears witness to the skills of this musical polymath who knows his Beethoven. He functions here both as soloist and conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, which boasts over 60 musicians. In line with the practices of the composer's lifetime, this choice highlights the "egalitarian" style of the concerto's writing. While a virtuoso piece for sure, this score is more than just a pedestal for the soloist: the latter works closely with their peers, and shares every theme with them. Leonidas Kavakos gives a magisterial performance at the head of this impressive orchestra and brings forth some sumptuous nuances from the players, commanding their sustained and close attention.
Heir to Viennese Classicism, Beethoven opened the way to the Concertos of Brahms or Sibelius, in which the solo violin often accompanies the orchestra with acrobatic embellishments. As agile as he was at the start of his career, the soloist doesn't perform Kreisler's famous cadence, but rather brings to life what Beethoven published for piano. This moment of complicity with the orchestra continues in camera in the Septet, Op. 20, the first score of the kind, in which the musicians sound like a small orchestra; and then finally in the 6 National Airs with Variations, Op. 105 for piano and flute (or violin ad libitum). Commissioned by a Scottish publisher when Beethoven was composing his Ninth Symphony, these miniatures for amateurs sound just as fresh as their dancing melodies. A very fine record which shows Beethoven in a less stormy light than usual. © Elsa Siffert/Qobuz

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Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Op. 61, Septet, Op. 20 & Variations on Folk Songs, Op. 105 & 107

Leonidas Kavakos

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Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

I. Allegro ma non troppo

00:27:27

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Orchestra - sebastian braun, Producer - Leonidas Kavakos, Violin, MainArtist - Klemens Kamp, Recording Engineer - Martin Kistner, Mastering Engineer

(P) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment/Bayerischer Rundfunk

II. Larghetto

00:11:31

(P) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment/Bayerischer Rundfunk

III. Rondo - Allegro

00:10:28

(P) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment/Bayerischer Rundfunk

DISC 2

Septet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

I. Adagio - Allegro con brio