Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2, Suite for violin and orchestra

Israeli-born Hagai Shaham here completes his survey of Hubay’s violin concertos, with these immaculate accounts of Nos 1 & 2 (Nos 3 & 4 appear on volume 3 of The Romantic Violin Concerto series [CDA67367]). Hubay is widely acknowledged as the founder of the ‘Hungarian school’ of violin playing. His list of protégées includes the virtuoso violinist Ilona Fehér who went on to teach Hagai Shaham. The sonorous, round and broad tone that is the main beauty of the Hubay-school is unmistakable in Shaham’s performance. Accompanying the two violin concertos we have Hubay’s Suite for violin and orchestra, Op 5; originally written for violin and piano before being revised with orchestral parts it adheres to a more traditional baroque format regarding structure, melody and harmony. If you want oodles of explosive virtuosity, rich melodies and substantial orchestral passages then this disc is for you.



GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE; ORCHESTRAL CHOICE OF THE MONTH - Classic FM Magazine

'With Shaham, Hubay's legacy is in very safe hands indeed. He delivers these works with a solid technique and commanding authenticity. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins provide rather more than just support, aided by a reasonably natural recorded balance which lets Hubay's colouristic touches have full effect' (International Record Review)

'Hagai Shaham does wonders for these neglected scores, playing with beguiling purity throughout the range, and a heart-felt intensity that makes the most of Hubay's penchant for soaring E-string melody. Typically alert and sensitive backing from the BBC Scottish SO under the direction of Martyn Brabbins and luxury sound round out an excellent release' (BBC Music Magazine)

'You wonder why all three works are not in the repertoire of every violinist. But then not every violinist sounds like Shaham. He really is something very special indeed. It almost goes without saying that that BBC Scottish and Brabbins provide their customary exemplary, colourful support. Earmarked for one of my discs of the year' (Classic FM Magazine)

'The performances are uniformly excellent: Hagai Shaham is a supple soloist and gives the music all the support he can' (The Guardian)

'Hagai Shaham is something very special indeed with a sound that reminds me of Heifetz at his most silkily seductive. Both of these blazingly romantic works should be in concert halls the world over' (Gramophone)

'On retrouve dans cet album toutes les qualités de jeu du soliste qui nous avaient séduits dans les précédents volumes, finesse de timbres, agilité, panache, sobriété de style … Shaham fait preuve une fois encore d'une virtuosité scintillante' (Diapason)

'The virtuosic demands of Hubay’s music are more than adequately met by the formidable technique of violinist Hagai Shaham. One has to admire and be grateful to such musicians as he, for learning the music on this disc probably carries with it little promise that concert engagements of Hubay’s music will follow' (Musicweb)

'Hubay's works shuold come as a most welcome addition to the recorded repertoire and Shaham's performances as an enthusiastic for of introductnio. Recommended' (DFanfare, USA)

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Recording details: December 2004; Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom; Produced by Andrew Keener; Engineered by Simon Eadon; Release date: February 2006;