Minus One

This album contains two of the Romantic Era's neglected treasures. Henryk Wieniawski, though little known today, was a potent figure in the 19th century, an almost unparalleled virtuoso violinist and a respected composer. His D minor concerto, op. 22, was premiered in St. Petersburg in 1862 and is a Romantic-era treasure. Pablo de Sarasate's 'Zigeunerweisen' ('Gypsy ways') is a wonderful fantasia on Romany themes composed in 1878. Both of these concerti are wonderful and often overlooked. But take our advice and discover themthey will not disappoint!

Mozart's fourth violin concerto continues his string of magical violin masterworks, all composed in the same year. Its beautiful classical themes and orchestrations make it a magnificent piece for the violinist. Vivaldi's A minor violin concerto is a baroque masterpiece. A marvelous piece not to be passed over!

From two Italian Baroque masters come these two great concerti, perfect showcases for the violinist. Vivaldis La Tempesta di Mare is a vivid portrait of a great storm, and remains one of the greatest concerti (along with The Four Seasons) from his classic 'Il cimento dell' armonia e dell'inventione' ('The Contest between Harmony and Invention') which illustrated the battle between structured form and harmony, and the opposing forces of creative invention. Albinonis wonderful A-major concerto is a beautiful evocation of the Italian Baroque. Not to be missed!

These two Vivaldi masterpieces are wonderful by any standard. The E-major concerto is from Vivaldi's well-known opus 'L'Estro Armonico' and the C-major concerto from the great 'Il cimento dell' armonia e dell'inventione' ('The Contest between Harmony and Invention'), the famous set of concerti from which the well-known 'The Four Seasons' also came. Il Piacere shares with The Four Seasons a pastoral portrait of the Lombardy countryside. This is potent Baroque music. Magical!

Russian master Alexander Glazunovs searingly beautiful violin concerto, with its rich melodies and gorgeous orchestration, is cast in a single movement filled with extreme lyricism. It has become a modern classic, standing amongst the top concerti in the repertoire. This deluxe 2CD set includes a second CD with slow-tempo practice version to help you get up to speed.

Beethoven composed this work, his only violin concerto, in 1806, in the same year that he composed the Symphony No. 5, the Rasoumowsky Quartets, and the Piano Concerto No. 4. It was dedicated to Franz Clement, who at its premiere separated the first movement from the second and third movements and fiddled some of his own works in between, with the violin turned upside-down! We can assume that Beethoven never spoke to him again. And needless to say the world took this concerto to its heart, as it has never left the repertoire. A magnificent piece.

Tchaikovsky's soaring, magnificent violin concerto is one of the summits of the literature and one which every aspiring virtuoso needs to learn. Highly recommended, it is truly inspiring music in the great Russian Romantic tradition.

Little need be said for what may be the most beautiful violin concerto ever put to paper. With its soaring melodies, broad lyricism beyond compare, this masterwork is pure magic. An essential for every serious violinist. Brahms dedicated this piece to Joseph Joachim, the famous violinist, who contributed much to its solo part. An often technically difficult masterwork, but well worth the effort to learn it, it is a magnificently rewarding concerto.

This Bach concerto is one of his most popular and a magical excursion for player and audience alike.