Bach - Double Violin Concerto [Hahn & Batjer/Kahane-Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra] Last year in my Blog this disc featured 7 times, and most recently as last month [22nd December 2010], i would say that this is probably my most played disc of 2010, it now resides at number 30 in my all time top discs ever, it consists of four superb works, all in magnificent interpretations and sound.
The second Violinist in this work is Margaret Batjer, i take it she's American too, and very involved with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the booklet however is full of Hilary Hahn, and how much more can i mention the booklet / back insert each time?, except that they are wonderful, and someone should get an award for the visual ideas in this package [photos by Kasskara], DG are getting things right in their visual department.
I really liked the second movement, it's a real sweet oasis between two virtuoso movements, in essence it's a weaving of melodies by Hahn and Batjer, there's almost a fugue created as each Violinist quotes each other, there's a gentleness / sweetness created at [2:14+], as the music takes a slightly more reflective nostalgic turn, for me the highlight of the movement comes towards the middle, as the violins create an intensity [3:40+], and the music turns slightly more sour but pleading, there's two phrases that bookend a lovely moment [3:55-4:03], and this comes again towards the end [5:11-5:19], it's sour yet so sweet!, it's hard to describe how one turn of phrase can turn your whole heart, such a delicacy is created by Bach, and all within seven minutes.
Here's Nigel Kennedy playing the second movement on YouTube.
