Beethoven: Violin Concerto (1982)

What began with something of a disappointing premiere has since become a cornerstone of the violin concerto repertoire. Beethoven's Concerto in D, his only surviving concerto for the instrument, is a marvel of innovation and elegance wrapped into a single package. Building on the innovation is Gidon Kremer's landmark 1980 performance with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Kremer's playing of the solo part is as edgy and provocative as would be expected from the trailblazing violinist. His execution is supple and ... Read More

What began with something of a disappointing premiere has since become a cornerstone of the violin concerto repertoire. Beethoven's Concerto in D, his only surviving concerto for the instrument, is a marvel of innovation and elegance wrapped into a single package. Building on the innovation is Gidon Kremer's landmark 1980 performance with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Kremer's playing of the solo part is as edgy and provocative as would be expected from the trailblazing violinist. His execution is supple and nimble, while his interpretation is excitingly aggressive and driven. What truly sets this performance apart from those that came before it, however, is not just in Kremer's impeccable playing of Beethoven's writing. Beethoven left no cadenzas for the violin concerto in his own hand. Many notable violinists have created their own contributions. Kremer, always giving listeners the unexpected, turned to Russian composer Alfred Schnittke for a unique, intriguing set of cadenzas. Schnittke's... Read Less