Welcome to ‘Dodd’s Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly. And the best part… the albums featured in the most current review will be available at a reduced price! Click the button below to see all of Dodd’s Discoveries and to find the current album(s) on sale.
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Bernstein: Serenade – Williams: Violin Concerto No. 1HK$158.99 – HK$273.99 -
Works for Violin of Bernstein, PendereckiHK$149.99 – HK$185.49
Here are two excellent recordings of a work that might be new to you:
Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium). Quoting Bernstein, “The music, like Plato’s dialogue, is a series of related statements in praise of love.” The work is scored for Solo violin, harp, string orchestra, and percussion. It was premiered in 1954 in Venice with Isaac Stern, violin, with Bernstein conducting. Bernstein considered it his best “serious” work.
The recording with the amazing Salvatore Accardo was my introduction to the Serenade. It won me over from the first few bars. The Album also features conductor Krzysztof Penderecki’s own Violin Concerto.
Released just this year, the album featuring soloist James Ehnes, with Stephane Deneve conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also features John Williams’ Violin Concerto no. 1.
So, which one is the winner? They’re both excellent! You might decide on the basis of the additional works. There’s an old world magic to Accardo’s playing. James Ehnes is fine in the John Williams Concerto, as well as the Bernstein. I might lean toward the Accardo just a bit, but I wouldn’t want to be without either one.
You might also be interested in:
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Bruch & Korngold: Violin Concertos & Chausson PoèmeHK$176.49 – HK$251.49
