Violin Concerto in D, Op. 74
Suite for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 32

Stanford was a more-than-proficient violinist during his youth and performed numerous violin concertos as an experienced conductor. From his early years in Dublin, Stanford came to know Joachim and as Stanford grew older and his prodigious ability became more apparent, Joachim began to take a serious interest in his future. Later, while Stanford was at Cambridge, their strong artistic and personal relationship cemented. The Suite for Violin and Orchestra was written as a homage to Joachim which would stand both as a tribute to his friend's brilliance as a great virtuoso and musician and as a portrait of his musical enthusiasms for Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Spohr and Brahms. The work was premiered by Joachim in Berlin in 1889 and was a great success. The violin concerto was composed in 1899 and first performed in 1901 with very little critical notice. This changed, however, when it was played by Fritz Kreisler. Although viewed by those such as Parry as one of his finest works, it did not establish itself in the canon of popular concertos. The work has remained virtually unknown, its passion and soul locked away in the pages of Breitkopf und Härtel's unpublished full score and parts recently discovered in the library of the RCM.

GRAMOPHONE 'RECORDING OF THE MONTH’; GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE; GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE (chosen by three critics); CD REVIEW DISC OF THE WEEK

‘Here’s a real find: a major Romantic violin concerto by a British composer. Anthony Marwood is an inspired choice of soloist, with a silvery tone and immaculate intonation. Prepare to be enchanted, by both piece and performance’ (BBC Music Magazine)

'Both works are irresistable, winsome and charming. It won me over instantly; my guess is that you'll surrender just as quickly' (Fanfare, USA)

'Anthony Marwood's performance is brim-full of intelligence and poetry…[a] splendid concerto' (The Daily Telegraph)

'A real find … Anthony Marwood is an inspired choice of soloist, with a silvery tone and immaculate intonation. Prepare to be enchanted, by both piece and performance' (CD Review)

'Anthony Marwood gives a warm, clean-cut reading' (The Guardian)

'Anthony Marwood gives a blistering account' (The Independent)

'Rarely have I heard intonation so ringingly true, nor such an affecting chamber-like response with an orchestra in music of this period. This is the kind of playing that one can listen to for pleasure simply because of its ravishing, jewel-like tonal quality…an outstanding release' (International Record Review)

'This masterful work speaks with a distinctly beautiful voice and has a perfect advocate in Marwood and the BBC SSO' (Gramophone)

'A discovery of major importance. First class' (Gramophone)

'These lovely pieces are played most expressively by a sweet-toned Anthony Marwood... Two unexpected gems that deserve to reclaim their place on the concert platform alongside the works of Elgar' (The Independent on Sunday)

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Recording details: June 2000; Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Produced by Andrew Keener; Engineered by Tony Faulkner; Release date: November 2000;