Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Major, Op. 20
No. 2 in C Major, Op. 58
No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61

These sparkling performances of Saint-Saëns' violin concertos are a fitting start to Hyperion's new series of Romantic Violin Concertos; a follow on from the highly successful Romantic Piano Concerto series. Saint-Saëns C Major concerto resembles Mendelssohn's great violin concerto. Both are declamatory, extravagant in character, highly lyrical and immediately establish the soloist as a romantic protagonist. Though more conventional, the violin writing for the Concerto in A Major is ever-inventive, especially in the witty second episode where the hen from Le Carnaval des Animaux makes a premature entrance. This was the first of several works he composed for the great Spanish violinist Pablo de Sarasate; in 1859 just fifteen years old but already a famous virtuoso. Saint-Saëns' instantly memorable melodies are a feature of all his best-known works, and there are tunes in abundance in the well-known B Minor Concerto. The intense B minor mood probably offered inspiration for the violin concertos of Elgar and Bartók.

CD OF THE MONTH / BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

'Hyperion holds a trump card in Philippe Graffin, whose elegant, emotionally charged playing is strongly reminiscent of the young Menuhin (he has a similar sort of sound) and whose understanding of the idiom seems to me second to none – certainly among modern players' (Gramophone)

'The delightful surprise here is the Second Concerto, full of youthful exuberance. Philippe Graffin, with rich, firm tone, gives performances full of temperament, warmly supported by Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Scottish' (The Guardian)

'All are beautifully crafted, irresistibly violinistic and catchily tuneful. Graffin is a real stylist, a player in the Franco-Belgian tradition with exquisitely sweet and focused tone and enviable bravura in the technical high jinks Saint-Saëns demands of his soloist. A delectable issue' (The Sunday Times)

'Graffin clearly believes in these works, delivering exhilarating and passionate interpretations throughout … an outstanding disc in every way' (Classic CD)

‘stylish performances and excellent sound’ (Classic FM Magazine)

'An auspicious beginning for this new Hyperion series' (Classical Express)

'Flawless performances' (Classical Ireland)

'The brilliant French violinist Philippe Graffin ... demonstrates his skill on this new Hyperion recording' (Evening Standard)

‘The French virtuoso Philippe Graffin is a sensitive and intelligent soloist, wonderfully attuned to Saint-Saëns’ conservative but always tasteful subtleties’ (The Scotsman)

‘Philippe Graffin is fully equal to [the] formidable technical demands, and also strikes an essential spark illuminating the music’s character and passionate stimulus’ (Daily Telegraph)

‘There are few more exciting young fiddlers around at the moment than Frenchman Philippe Graffin. Three previous Hyperion releases of music by Ysaye and Chausson have already revealed Graffin’s abundant gifts, and in this generous new Saint-Saëns coupling … one can once again only marvel at playing of such thrilling temperament, consummate intelligence and stylistic flair’ (Hi-Fi News & Record Review)

‘the young French violinist, Philippe Graffin, performs with great élan and virtuosity’ (Contemporary Review)

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Recording details: November 1998; Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Produced by Andrew Keener; Engineered by Tony Faulkner; Release date: August 1999;