Beethoven & Brahms: Violin Concertos album review – as supple and coherent as ever as the ACO celebrates 50

Australian Chamber Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years with Supple and Coherent Violin Concertos

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), one of the world's foremost chamber bands, marks its 50th birthday with a pair of exceptional recordings that showcase its unique blend of modern playing techniques and historical instruments. The soloist and conductor in both works is Richard Tognetti, who has led the orchestra for the past 35 years.

Both concerts were recorded at Sydney's City Recital Hall, where the ACO's permanent core of 20 players was supplemented by guest instrumentalists from other Australian orchestras. The result is a close, intimate sound that faithfully reproduces the orchestra's engaging performances in concert.

Tognetti's approach to these two great violin concertos - Beethoven and Brahms - may not be universally persuasive, however. In the Beethoven concerto, he favors urgency over lyricism, resulting in a 27-minute account of the first movement that is one of the most expansive on record. This is partly due to his choice of cadenzas, which combine elements from Vieuxtemps', Auer's, and Kreisler's works.

In contrast, Tognetti's Brahms concerto incorporates Busoni's cadenzas in a more mainstream account that still manages to convey the work's characteristic lightness and transparency. The outstanding woodwind solos woven around the solo line are particularly noteworthy, making for a thoroughly convincing performance that is both enjoyable and informative.

While these recordings may not rival the finest versions of their respective works on disc, they are an excellent testament to the ACO's enduring partnership with Richard Tognetti, one of music's most remarkable collaborations.

You know when you're listening to a violin concerto and it's just so beautiful, but then you start thinking about why that particular phrase or note is chosen? It's like the musician is sharing something personal with you. That's what Richard Tognetti's approach is all about - connecting with the music on a deeper level.

I think it's really cool how he experimented with different cadenzas to give each concerto its own character. It's like he's having a conversation with the composer, saying "Hey, I get you" and then adding his own voice to the mix. The end result is these recordings that feel so alive and full of emotion.

For me, it's all about embracing the imperfections and finding beauty in them. Life isn't always about perfection; sometimes it's about how we respond to the messy bits. So when I'm listening to Tognetti's violin concertos, I'm reminded to be present with whatever's happening, even if it doesn't feel perfect at first.

I mean, who needs nuance when you can just go full-on modern playing techniques and still make it sound like classical music? I'm loving how Richard Tognetti's approach to these concertos is all about "urgency" over actual technique... I guess that's what happens when you're celebrating 50 years of being ahead of the curve . And hey, a 27-minute account of the first movement is definitely a "bold" choice - not sure how many listeners will survive that one without dozing off . The woodwind solos are always nice, but when they're the only thing keeping you awake during those long cadenzas, you know it's a good performance .

I think it's totally awesome how the Australian Chamber Orchestra is celebrating 50 years with these incredible violin concertos recordings . The fact that they've got a super talented conductor in Richard Tognetti leading them all these years really shows in their performances, especially when you hear those woodwind solos - absolute perfection!

Now, I'm not saying it's always going to be a winner with every music lover - some people might find the way he plays Beethoven's concerto too urgent for its own sake . But honestly, that's part of what makes these recordings so interesting... and I think Tognetti's choice of cadenzas adds this really cool modern twist to the classics .

What really gets me is how they got all those guest instrumentalists from other Australian orchestras to join in on the recording - it gives the music this amazing depth and warmth . And let's be real, 50 years is a huge milestone for any orchestra... so these recordings are like the ultimate celebration of their legacy !

just listened to this new album from the Aussie Chamber Orchestra and i gotta say its been a while since ive heard violins sound so good their 50th birthday concert is actually pretty cool too... richard tognetti has been leading them for like 35 years or something anyway, beethoven and brahms violin concertos are always a bit tricky but these guys nail it the busoni cadenzas in the brahms concerto are so smooth gotta check out their live performances next []

50 years old and still going strong! I mean, who needs a midlife crisis when you can just have a violin concerto crisis? Richard Tognetti is like the Kanye West of classical music - he's got his own way of doing things and people either love him for it or hate him... but let's be real, 27 minutes of Beethoven is like a marathon, not a sprint! Still, I gotta respect the ACO for keeping it fresh with those Busoni-inspired cadenzas in the Brahms concerto - talk about adding some spice to an old classic!

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why we need more digital violin concertos . I mean, have you heard the last time a human played on an actual violin? The tone is so much warmer and richer than any digital recording can replicate . Don't get me wrong, Richard Tognetti's approach might be good for some people, but for me, it just sounds like he's playing with his eyes closed . And what's with the long cadenzas in the Beethoven concerto? It feels like a marathon session rather than a beautiful violin dance . Give me some good old-fashioned acoustic vibes any day .

I just listened to this new ACO recording and I gotta say its kinda cool how they blended old & new in these violin concertos The way they chose cadenzas for Beethoven's concerto is quite interesting - it adds a modern twist, but still keeps the original spirit intact. Tognetti's direction really shines through, especially with those woodwind solos in Brahms' concerto... it's like you can feel the music being performed live