Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Romances

There is nothing terribly wrong with these recordings – but in an overcrowded market one needs a little more than that. Flair is one quality notable for its absence, particularly in the concerto’s rondo, where Thomas’s beavering passagework sounds effortful and unrewarding, both to him and us. The first movement has more shape and purpose and allows glimpses of a soulful musical personality, but the stately Romances are worthy at best and the whole manages little in the way of thrills. Christopher Wood

Our rating

3

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:29 pm

COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: CRD
WORKS: Violin Concerto; Romances
PERFORMER: Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Ronald Thomas (violin)
CATALOGUE NO: 3353 ADD Reissue

There is nothing terribly wrong with these recordings – but in an overcrowded market one needs a little more than that. Flair is one quality notable for its absence, particularly in the concerto’s rondo, where Thomas’s beavering passagework sounds effortful and unrewarding, both to him and us. The first movement has more shape and purpose and allows glimpses of a soulful musical personality, but the stately Romances are worthy at best and the whole manages little in the way of thrills. Christopher Wood

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