Nigel Kennedy, Jeffrey Tate, English Chamber Orchestra - Mendelssohn, Bruch, Schubert – Violin Concerto In E Minor / Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor / Rondo In A

Mendelssohn / Bruch / Schubert – Violin Concertos & Rondo
Nigel Kennedy with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Tate

A compelling showcase of Romantic violin repertoire, this collection brings together two of the most beloved concertos alongside a lyrical early work by Franz Schubert. Nigel Kennedy’s distinctive playing - combining technical brilliance with expressive freedom - adds a fresh, characterful edge to these well-known works.

Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor opens the programme with rich lyricism and sweeping romantic lines. Its deeply expressive Adagio remains one of the most celebrated slow movements in the violin repertoire, while the finale drives forward with energy and rhythmic vitality.

Schubert’s Rondo in A, D. 438 offers a lighter, more graceful contrast, blending classical elegance with melodic charm. Kennedy’s phrasing brings out the piece’s lyrical warmth and flowing character, highlighting Schubert’s gift for song-like writing.

The album concludes with Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, a cornerstone of the repertoire. Its seamless structure, soaring melodies, and virtuosic demands are met with both precision and expressive nuance, from the passionate opening movement through to the sparkling, energetic finale.

With the English Chamber Orchestra providing a refined and responsive accompaniment under Jeffrey Tate, this recording balances Romantic richness with clarity and elegance - an engaging interpretation of three enduring violin works.

Tracklist:

Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 – Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1

1. I. Vorspiel (Allegro moderato) – 8:36
2. II. Adagio – 9:20
3. III. Finale (Allegro energico) – 7:13
4. Rondo in A for Violin and Strings, D. 438 – Schubert Rondo in A D438 – 16:02

Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 – Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor
5. I. Allegro molto appassionato – 13:21
6. II. Andante – 9:01
7. III. Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace – 6:39