The Romantic Violin Concerto, Vol. 2 – Stanford

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
The Romantic Violin Concerto, Vol. 2 – Stanford
Anthony Marwood (violin), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

Suite for violin and orchestra, Op 32
1 Movement 1: Ouverture [7'51]
2 Movement 2: Allemande [3'24]
3 Movement 3: Ballade [6'44]
4 Movement 4: Tambourin [3'37]
5 Movement 5: Rondo Finale [6'42]

Violin Concerto in D major, Op 74
6 Movement 1: Allegro [17'37]
7 Movement 2: Canzona – Andante [12'38]
8 Movement 3: Allegro moderato [7'53]

Stanford was a more-than-proficient violinist during his youth and performed numerous
violin concertos as an experienced conductor. From his early years in Dublin, Stanford
came to know Joachim and as Stanford grew older and his prodigious ability became more
apparent, Joachim began to take a serious interest in his future. Later, while Stanford was
at Cambridge, their strong artistic and personal relationship cemented.

The Suite for Violin and Orchestra was written as a homage to Joachim which would stand
both as a tribute to his friend's brilliance as a great virtuoso and musician and as a portrait
of his musical enthusiasms for Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Spohr and Brahms. The work
was premiered by Joachim in Berlin in 1889 and was a great success. The violin concerto
was composed in 1899 and first performed in 1901 with very little critical notice. This changed,
however, when it was played by Fritz Kreisler. Although viewed by those such as Parry as one
of his finest works, it did not establish itself in the canon of popular concertos. The work has
remained virtually unknown, its passion and soul locked away in the pages of Breitkopf und
Härtel's unpublished full score and parts recently discovered in the library of the RCM.


GRAMOPHONE 'RECORDING OF THE MONTH’

GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE (chosen by three critics)
CD REVIEW DISC OF THE WEEK

‘Here’s a real find: a major Romantic violin concerto by a British composer.
Anthony Marwood is an inspired choice of soloist, with a silvery tone and immaculate intonation.
Prepare to be enchanted, by both piece and performance’ (BBC Music Magazine)

'Both works are irresistable, winsome and charming. It won me over instantly; my guess is
that you'll surrender just as quickly' (Fanfare, USA)

'Anthony Marwood's performance is brim-full of intelligence and poetry…[a] splendid
concerto' (The Daily Telegraph)

'A real find … Anthony Marwood is an inspired choice of soloist, with a silvery tone and
immaculate intonation. Prepare to be enchanted, by both piece and performance' (CD Review)

'Anthony Marwood gives a warm, clean-cut reading' (The Guardian)

'Anthony Marwood gives a blistering account' (The Independent)

'Rarely have I heard intonation so ringingly true, nor such an affecting chamber-like response
with an orchestra in music of this period. This is the kind of playing that one can listen to for
pleasure simply because of its ravishing, jewel-like tonal quality…an outstanding release'
(International Record Review)

'This masterful work speaks with a distinctly beautiful voice and has a perfect advocate in
Marwood and the BBC SSO' (Gramophone)

'A discovery of major importance. First class' (Gramophone)

'These lovely pieces are played most expressively by a sweet-toned Anthony Marwood…
Two unexpected gems that deserve to reclaim their place on the concert platform alongside
the works of Elgar' (The Independent on Sunday)

http://rapidshare.com/files/150624113/RVC2.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/150630850/RVC2.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/150637705/RVC2.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/150638230/RVC2.part4.rar