Beethoven: Violin Concerto / Bernstein: Serenade

1	Violin Concerto in D majo
2	Violin Concerto in D majo
3	Violin Concerto in D majo
4	Serenade (after Plato: Sy
5	Serenade (after Plato: Sy
6	Serenade (after Plato: Sy
7	Serenade (after Plato: Sy
8	Serenade (after Plato: Sy
Beethoven: Violin Concerto / Bernstein: Serenade
1.	Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 44:04
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Fritz Kreisler, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Hilary Hahn
	Conducted by David Zinman
2.	Serenade (after Plato: Symposium), for violin, harp, percussion & strings; also for violin & piano 30:29
	Composed by Leonard Bernstein
	Performed by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Hilary Hahn
	Conducted by David Zinman

Barnes & Noble

Gramophone, the prestigious British music magazine, made this their primary recommendation for a recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto. Not bad for a violinist who's still in her teens. These days musical prodigies are a dime a dozen, although Hilary Hahn is clearly no dimestore prodigy. Sure, she has technique to burn and a silky golden tone, but what sets Hahn apart is her imagination. It sounds as if she's considered afresh every phrase of Beethoven's familiar work to arrive at an exquisite and engaging performance. She's equally at home in Bernstein's clever Serenade (1954), an early work inspired by Plato's "Symposium." Lyrical and jazzy, it is one of the composer's finest symphonic creations and Hahn is an effective champion for its syncopated charm. Conductor David Zinman and the Baltimore Symphony offer fine support, particularly in the delicacy of the Serenade's sweet Adagio. Andrew Farach-Colton

Gramophone

Musically, I have nothing but praise for this admirable enterprise.... Of its kind, this performance will be difficult to beat.... Both works are beautifully recorded. Very strongly recommended.