For this recording, violinist Tanja Becker-Bender plays on the 'Maurer van Veen' Stradivarius from 1710, generously loaned by Andreas Woywod in London.
Composer Biography
Both Ferruccio Busoni and Richard Strauss came from musical families, and their fathers played wind instruments, encouraging a cantabile (singing) style in their works.
Composer Biography
Ferruccio Busoni, born in Empoli, had an interesting blend of Italian and German influences, with his Italian heritage predominantly shaping his artistic makeup.
Composition History
Richard Strauss's Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8, was written when he was 17 and dedicated to his violin teacher Benno Walter, who was also concertmaster of the Bavarian Court Orchestra and his father's first cousin.
Critical Reception
Richard Strauss's Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8, was initially well-received, with the great critic Eduard Hanslick noting it 'betrays a great talent,' though it later struggled to find a permanent place in the repertoire.
Composition History
Busoni's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35a, is dedicated to the distinguished Dutch violinist Henri Petri, a pupil of Joseph Joachim, who was a concertmaster, soloist, quartet leader, and teacher.
Critical Reception
Despite Busoni's immense reputation, his Violin Concerto has never gained widespread popularity with the public, even prompting one of its champions, Joseph Szigeti, to convince the composer of its quality.
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