Henryk Szeryng, a renowned violinist of the 20th century, presents a captivating collection of violin concertos and enchanting pieces in this 1994 release from Decca Music Group Ltd. The album showcases Szeryng's virtuosity and musical depth, featuring two iconic violin concertos: Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto in D Minor, WoO 1, and Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64. These concertos, staples of the classical repertoire, demonstrate Szeryng's technical prowess and expressive range.
Beyond the concertos, the album offers a delightful array of shorter pieces, including Brahms' lively "6 Roumanian Folk Dances," Debussy's evocative "La plus que lente," and a playful rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Flight of the Bumble-Bee" from "The Tale of Tsar Saltan." Szeryng's interpretations are accompanied by sensitive and nuanced piano playing, highlighting the chamber music qualities of these works.
The album also includes lesser-known gems like "Perpetuum mobile," "Mexican Lullaby," and a charming arrangement of Hungarian Dance No. 17 by Fritz Kreisler. Szeryng's ability to bring out the unique character of each piece makes this album a rich and varied listening experience. Clocking in at just over an hour and fifteen minutes, it's a perfect blend of familiar classics and hidden treasures, all performed with Szeryng's signature elegance and precision.
