Haydn Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 4; Mendelssohn Octet

Shaham and co bring bustling virtuosity to Mendelssohn’s teenage masterpiece

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn

Genre:

Orchestral

Label: Canary Classics

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 62

Mastering:

Stereo

Catalogue Number: CC08

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Joseph Haydn, Composer
Gil Shaham, Violin
Joseph Haydn, Composer
Sejong Soloists
Octet for strings Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Gil Shaham, Violin
Sejong Soloists
Often when listening to Mendelssohn’s Octet, I find myself searching for moments that might betray the youthfulness of its creator: some prolixity, some passing pomposity, some momentary immaturity or fleeting grandiosity pointing to the fact that the composer was only 16 years old. Needless to say, time and time again I draw a blank, finding it impossible to pinpoint anything that suggests that it’s anything less than perfect, one of the true miracles of music. Gil Shaham and the Sejong Soloists – a handpicked ensemble of young musicians – present a driving performance, bustling and forward-moving in the opening Allegro, perhaps a little cosmetic in the Andante but ideally airborne and impish in the Walpurgis-Scherzo. Shaham is spotlit within the balance, most notably in the first movement, although a better equilibrium is approached thereafter. There are some breathtaking pianissimos and beguiling touches of portamento in what is a most likeable performance, building cumulatively to a chattering contrapuntal finale that demonstrates these players’ admirable abilities individually and in ensemble. I maintain a soft spot for the recording (on period instruments) by Hausmusik (Virgin, 9/90R); this is sweeter, less stately, equally compelling.

The couplings are two of Haydn’s three extant violin concertos, also early works, although “early” for Haydn means he was around twice the age of Octet-period Mendelssohn. Shaham’s rich violin tone is a boon in these works, especially in the central slow movements, making this a viable modern-instrument alternative (with fairly inoffensive harpsichord continuo) to the recent Podger in No 1 (Channel Classics, 12/09) or the older Standage/Pinnock (Archiv, 5/89) and Wallfisch (Virgin, 11/92R). Stephen Somary’s otherwise comprehensive booklet-note goes through all manner of contortions to concoct a link between Haydn’s slight concertos and the still-remarkable genius of Mendelssohn’s teenage masterpiece.

Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music. 

Stream on Presto Music | Buy from Presto Music

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.