Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto was experimental for its time, with the first two movements following each other attacca (without a break), and the soloist beginning immediately with the main theme, omitting the traditional orchestral 'double exposition'.
Composer Biography
Both Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Bruch's Second Violin Concerto were composed with specific virtuoso violinists in mind: Ferdinand David for Mendelssohn and Pablo de Sarasate for Bruch.
Interpretation
Mikhail Pochekin, the violinist, believes it is important for performers to approach a well-known piece like Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto as if hearing and playing it for the very first time, aiming for constant rediscovery.
Performer Biography
Mikhail Pochekin, the violinist on this recording, performed on the Stradivari 'Ex Boissier', which once belonged to the famous Spanish violinist Pablo de Sarasate, after winning the Pablo Sarasate National Prize in 2008.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded under pandemic conditions during the second-wave lockdown, which provided an interesting phase for making recordings.
Cultural Impact
The Württemberg Philharmonic Reutlingen, the orchestra on this recording, received the 'Innovative Orchestra 2019' prize for its unique interactive livestream format NETZ-WERK-ORCHESTER, which reaches people in rural areas.
Performer Biography
Sebastian Tewinkel, the conductor, won the prestigious Echo-Klassik prize in 2012 for a Sony Classical production of cello concertos with Maximilian Hornung and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.
You might also enjoy...
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1
Violin Concertos of Mendelssohn & Bruch
Mendelssohn & Spohr: Violin Concertos Arranged for Flute
Mendelssohn & Bruch Violinkonzerte
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor / Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1
