Born in Hungary, Végh studied violin under Hubai and composition under Kodály at the Liszt Academy of Music from 1924. He made his debut as a violinist in 1927 under the baton of Richard Strauss, and after graduating from the academy in 1930, he began performing as a soloist and formed the Hungarian Quartet in 1935, remaining with the quartet until 1940, and also performed in the premiere of Bartók's String Quartet No. 5.

The Classical Catalogue is particularly rich in fine recordings of the Mendelssohn E minor Violin Concerto (one thinks of Kyung-Wha Chung, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Cho-Liang Lin, to name but three). But Viktoria Mullova's account is second to none, and she is splendidly accompanied by Marriner and his ASMF. The performance has great warmth and freshness. That moment on which so much depends, the preparation for the arrival of the first movement's second subject, does not disappoint. Indeed the lovely melody arrives with the utmost naturalness Marriner at his most spontaneously subtle and at the beginning of the falling solo arpeggio Mullova's momentary tenuto is ravishing.

This album features the seldom-played Second Version of the Italian Symphony, and the seldom-played first version of the Violin Concerto. Both are played by the superb early music chamber orchestra, Capella Savaria, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. Zsolt Kalló is the superb violin soloist.

"…a performance full of character and joy. It bristles with energy without adopting extreme tempos; period instrument sonorities refresh even that over-exposed Wedding March."

— BBC Music Magazine

"Never was there a more complete triumph - never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art." This was the response of the critic in the London Times to the wildly successful premiere of Felix Mendelssohn's Elias in 1846. Hans-Christoph Rademann began his tenure as Principal Conductor of the RIAS Chamber Choir with this groundbreaking oratorio. After eight productive and successful years, his final concert in July 2015 also featured the work.

The best period instrument recording of Mendelssohn Symphonies 3,4,5 and Overtures " the Hebrides" and "Calm sea and Prosperous Voyage". Bruggen's tempos are moderate and textures are very clear: you can hear individual voices in the orchestra not obvious in many recordings. The Orchestra of the 18th Century play with a full sound and are never scrawny. Orchestra of the 18th Century's horns, clarinet, and flutes were very well played in these live recordings from 1990, 1994, 1995, and 1996.

Anne Akiko Meyers is a thoughtful rather than a flamboyant virtuoso, and the four items here suit her exceptionally well. There is no feeling that the shorter pieces are in any way mere fillers, so rapt is her playing. The sweet, gentle opening of the Mendelssohn Concerto, as presented by Anne Akiko Meyers, immediately sets the pattern not only for that central work, but for the whole, unusual collection on this disc.

The well-known British string quartet was founded in 1967 by Kenneth Sillito, who led the ensemble for some twenty years before passing the responsibility to John Georgiadis, at which point the Quartet entered into an exclusive contract with Chandos and made a number of fine recordings. It toured widely abroad and in the UK and was noted for its well-balanced performances. ‘I know this is a disc to be enjoyed again and again. The sound is simply flawless’, wrote the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Roel Dieltiens has just one thing on his mind here: convincing the listener that Mendelssohn was a first-rank composer. Fortunately, on this recording of Mendelssohn's Octet, Dieltiens' Explorations Ensemble makes the case for Mendelssohn quickly and convincingly, and one can sit back enjoy the show. While old-time Mendelssohn fans may be put off by the intensity of Dieltiens' interpretation and the violence of the Explorations Ensemble's attack, it will soon become clear to younger listeners with open minds that, in fact, these qualities represent the real Mendelssohn.

FonoForum 08/05: "A captivating interpretation due to its unexpected balance. The perfection of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra in terms of intonation, playing technique and discipline is also to be admired."

Founded 60 years ago by Menahem Pressler, Daniel Guilet and Bernard Greenhouse, the Beaux Arts Trio performed and recorded exclusively for Philips Classics until 1995. Celebrated for their outstanding chamber-music qualities, the Beaux Arts are one of the greatest ensembles in the history of recorded music. This special 60CD box set includes their extensive discography on Philips Classics and encompasses almost the entire piano trio literature.

Im umfangreichen Werkverzeichnis von Felix Mendelssohn nehmen die Orgelwerke nur einen relativ bescheidenen Nischenplatz ein. Im Stammbaum der Orgelmusik aber stehen sie an prominenter Stelle: Vor allem die Sechs Sonaten Op.65 sind die wichtigsten Bindeglieder zwischen Barock und Romantik, kompositorische Leuchttürme aus einer Zeit, die mit der Orgel ansonsten nicht viel anzufangen wusste. Ihre Impulse, namentlich für die Entstehung von Orgelmusik in Deutschland, waren enorm. Sie eröffneten zahlreiche neue und unerhörte Möglichkeiten für die vermeintlich so ungelenke Orgel.

Michael Collins MBE is one of the most complete musicians of his generation. Continuing his distinguished career as a soloist, he has in recent years also become highly regarded as a conductor and in 2010 took up the position as Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia, and works with leading orchestras around the world both as a soloist and as a conductor. Committed for many years to expanding the repertoire of the clarinet, he has premiered works by some of todays most highly regarded composers, including John Adams, Elliott Carter, Brett Dean and Mark-Anthony Turnage. In addition to commissioning and supporting new compositions, he is also a champion of well-crafted arrangements of other works for the clarinet.

Vital performances of these unjustly undervalued works. The A minor and F minor quartets,from the beginning and end of his tragically short creative life,are major works and would firmly place Mendelssohn amongst the great post-Beethoven quartet writers. The Ysaye Quartet revel in the rich part writing and firm structuring of these works. Very clear and rich recording.

Violins of Hope presents instruments that were owned by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, representing strength and optimism for the future during mankind’s darkest hour. They have been refurbished by luthiers Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein, founders of the Violins of Hope project. On this album, recorded live at Kohl Mansion, the instruments are used to perform two string quartet masterpieces by Schubert and Mendelssohn, alongside a new composition by Jake Heggie, inspired by the violins’ histories. Schubert’s unfinished Quartettsatz is often considered Schubert’s first mature work and displays a typically Schubertian mix of impetuous agitation and sublime lyricism.