Brahms, Stravinsky: Violin Concertos

1	Violin Concerto in D majo
2	Violin Concerto in D majo
3	Violin Concerto in D majo
4	Violin Concerto in D majo
5	Violin Concerto in D majo
6	Violin Concerto in D majo
7	Violin Concerto in D majo
Brahms, Stravinsky: Violin Concertos
1.	Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 40:37
	Composed by Johannes Brahms
	Conducted by Neville Marriner
	Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Hilary Hahn
2.	Violin Concerto in D major 20:56
	Composed by Igor Stravinsky
	Conducted by Neville Marriner
	Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Hilary Hahn

Barnes & Noble

Virtuoso violinist Hilary Hahn may be young, but she plays with the skill and polish of a seasoned pro. Here, on her fourth solo disc for Sony Classical, the 21-year-old navigates the many challenges of Brahms's "Concerto Against the Violin" (as one of the composer's contemporaries famously quipped) with seeming ease, bringing transparency and intensity to the demanding work. Her tone is taut and well focused, her playing by turns fiery and lyrical but never sentimental. This is not a Romantic's account, perhaps, but it is one played with meticulous control, clarity of vision, and an attention-grabbing conviction. Stravinsky's Violin Concerto balances the program, and at first blush it may seem like an odd choice -- after all, the two concertos inhabit utterly different sonic worlds. But the Concerto's spry Neo-Classical style offers a pleasing palate cleanser after the richness of Brahms, and it complements Hahn's incandescent take on the Romantic's work surprisingly well. Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields accompany, achieving a lush, warm sound in the Brahms and a wiry crispness in the Stravinsky. This isn't Hahn's first thought-provoking program -- she paired Beethoven's Concerto with Bernstein's "Serenade" on one disc, and Samuel Barber's Concerto with one written for her by Edgar Meyer on another. And we can bet it won't be her last, either. Hahn is fast establishing herself as one of the world's preeminent violinists, and many more creative and ear-catching recordings from this rising star are sure to come. EJ Johnson

International Record Review

Rarely have I heard the Brahms Violin Concerto so commandingly played as here.... Sir Neville and the ASMF are on expert form, supporting Hahn every inch of the way, and the recording could hardly be more flattering in its combination of detail and warmth... [In the Stravinsky,] Hahn's effortless mastery (both technically and musically) of this notoriously demanding score leaves one weak with admiration. A classic account. Julian Haylock