According to Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, his Violin Concerto 'I profeti' evokes 'the glorious voices of the prophets of the past' through episodes of exaltation, heroism, mystery, and lamentations from ancient Jewish sources.
Performer Biography
Itzhak Perlman's connection to music steeped in Jewish tradition and the repertoire introduced by Jascha Heifetz is evident in this recording.
Compositional Technique
Paul Ben-Haim's Violin Concerto, like Castelnuovo-Tedesco's, is built on the Classical model and draws inspiration from Jewish themes, blending German Romanticism with Middle Eastern music.
Composer Biography
Paul Ben-Haim, born Paul Frankenburger, began his career as a conductor, working under Bruno Walter and Hans Knappertsbusch in Munich, before leaving Nazi Germany for Palestine in 1933.
Recording & Production
This album is a live recording from the Frederic R. Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, made between October 9-16, 1990.
Historical Context
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, the composer of 'I profeti', was driven into exile in the US in 1939 due to anti-Semitic legislation in his native Italy.
Composition History
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Violin Concerto No.2, 'I profeti' ('The Prophets'), was dedicated to Jascha Heifetz, who premiered it in 1933 with Toscanini conducting.
