Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto [Chang/ Jansons-Berliner Philharmoniker]It's so good to hear this perennial Concerto, and it's the first time this year i'm writing about it, this is a wonderful disc, and a great coupling, the booklet pic is gorgeous, and Sarah of course!, a treasurable disc.
The Concerto is in E Minor, a favourite key for Mendelssohn, it was one of his most often used keys.
I loved the first movement, there's no messing about with long intros by the orchestra, the violin comes straight in after five seconds!, a lovely forward momentum ensues, it's a fleet, taut Concerto, not big like Beethoven, or rugged like Brahms, i like the way, right at the end of the solo cadenza, how the return of the orchestra naturally dovetails in [8:52-9:15], the orchestra play the main tune, as the violin plays the virtuoso background rhythm, getting stronger and more complex, a very nice experience.
Here's Sarah Chang playing the first movement on YouTube.
