Saint-Saens, Wieniawski: Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 2

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta
Julian Rachlin (Viool)

Opinions on the subject of instrumental virtuosity in the Romantic Period are still undergoing development. The concept of this technical brilliance is considered by many musical aficionados to be simply one individual musical facet, not lending itself to the dimension of musical expression.

Both violin concertos recorded here appear to be proof of this somewhat misleading 19th Century opinion, and both Saint-Saëns and Wieniawski are (unjustifiably) undervalued composers outside the concert halls of their own respective nations.

Both concertos presented here are now firmly established in the range of most popular virtuosic pieces for violin and orchestra.

Julian Rachlin recorded these at the early age of 16 and the result was more than impressive.