Augustin Hadelich, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Cristian Măcelaru – Recuerdos (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

"A program can tell a story – the way different musical works follow one another has a great effect on the listener. It can sometimes reveal unexpected things, even refreshing connections …", violinist Augustin Hadelich describes the approach to his new album Recuerdos – Erinnerungen. The Grammy Award winner built it thematically around Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto, the complexity of which has preoccupied him for years.

Britten, a convinced pacifist and conscientious objector, began the technically highly demanding violin concerto in Madrid under the impression of the Spanish Civil War and finished it in 1939, shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War. The composition is as torn as he himself, it oscillates between ravishing melodies, grotesque death dance and fervent rhythms. Augustin Hadelich opens his album with Prokofieff, whose early work Britten admired. The 2. The Russian's violin Concerto had been written in Spain only a few years earlier and shares the fiery castanet sounds with de Sarasate's famous Carmen fantasy. Augustin Hadelich says about the last work of the album: "After Britten, Recuerdos de la Alhambra feels like a painful meditation on loss.«

Cristian Măcelaru accompanies him with his WDR Symphony Orchestra. Augustin Hadelich appreciates the conductor's empathy: "He knows what I'm going to do next before I know it." A sympathy that is obviously reciprocated – for the 2022/23 season, the orchestra has chosen the sought-after soloist as Artist in residence.

TRACKLIST

1 Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (After Bizet): Introduction [Allegro moderato]
2 Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (After Bizet): I. Moderato
3 Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (After Bizet): II. Lento assai
4 Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (After Bizet): III. Allegro moderato
5 Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (After Bizet): IV. Moderato
6 Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63: I. Allegro moderato
7 Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63: II. Andante assai
8 Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63: III. Allegro, ben marcato
9 Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.15: I. Moderato con moto - Agitato - Tempo primo
10 Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.15: II. Vivace - Animando - Largamento
11 Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.15: III. Passacaglia - Andante lento (un poco meno mosso)
12 Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Arr. Ricci)



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