The world premiere of Bartók's Second Violin Concerto was undoubtedly the highlight of the 1938-1939 concert season in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. This also fulfilled a long-cherished wish of the Hungarian violinist Zoltán Székely, who had asked for the work for years. Although Bartók prepared his Violin Concerto extensively with Székely, he himself was not present at the premiere. The AVRO
… did and recorded the now legendary recording. Since then, the work has made a triumphal tour of all the major concert halls in the world, making it one of the most important violin concertos of the twentieth century and has illustrious performers such as André Gertler and Isaac Stern. On this CD it is the turn of the young German violinist Arabella Steinbacher. She works her way through Bartók's complex structures with fabulous technique and flawless insight. Her tone is full and warm; one time in flowing melodic lines, then aggressive with powerful accents. Qualities that we also hear in the performance of Bartók's First Violin Concerto. The Orchester de la Suisse Romande and conductor Marek Janowski are worthy partners in both crown jewels of the violin concert repertoire. (JWvR)more
