Beethoven, though famous as a pianist, received violin lessons from Franz Anton Ries and played viola in his local orchestra during his youth in Bonn.
Composition History
Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, was first performed on December 23, 1806, as part of a benefit concert for violinist Franz Clement.
Interpretation
The performers on this album aim for an interpretation that avoids 'over-Romantic' sentiment, studying historical performance practices while using modern instruments.
Critical Reception
Beethoven's Violin Concerto was initially deemed 'disjointed' and 'tiring' by critics in 1807, and it took many years for the work to be fully understood.
Interpretation
The Orchestre de Chambre Pelléas, led by Benjamin Levy, uses a small string section to achieve an orchestral balance similar to what would be heard with gut string instruments.
Performer Biography
Lorenzo Gatto, the violinist, also co-founded a pop trio called 'Trilogy' in 2011 with friends Hrachya Avanesyan and Yossif Ivanov, exploring new sounds for strings.
Performer Biography
Lorenzo Gatto, a violinist on this album, won both Second Prize and the Public's Prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2009.
