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Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Piano Quartet No.2, String Quartet No. 1
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Xue-Wei and the London Philharmonic Orchestra give a stylish and lively performance of one of the greatest Romantic violin concertos, heard alongside Mendelssohn's charming String Quartet No.1 and the pianistic brilliance of his Second Piano Quartet, performed by the Schubert Ensemble.Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto has become a staple concert work, loved for its elegant virtuosity and lilting slow movement. On this disc, Xue-Wei performs the solo part with effortless grace, deftly manoeuvring between technical dexterity and singing lyricism.The Piano Quartet was penned when Mendelssohn was just 14, and combines the fluency of Mozart with the instrumental brilliance of Weber. The mellow plaintiveness and answering reassurance of the first Allegro convey exceptional emotional sensibility, and the sheer vitality of the finale, revelling in the ever-changing colours bestowed on its energetic theme, carries all before it on a tide of infectious enthusiasm.The String Quartet features a delicate Canzonetta: often heard on its own, it is a gentle march in 2/4 time, with pizzicato accompaniment, enfolding a whimsically-skittish central sequence. The other movements include the mix of lyricism and liveliness for which Mendelssohn is so well-loved. Only $11.98 - Click here to buy now! |