COMPOSERS: Hofmann
LABELS: Naxos
WORKS: Violin Concerto in B flat; Violin Concerto in A; Concerto in G for Violin and Cello
PERFORMER: Lorraine McAslan (violin), Tim Hugh (cello); Northern CO/Nicholas Ward
CATALOGUE NO: 8.554233
Naxos has restored Leopold Hofmann to the recorded repertoire, and it was a worthwhile idea, made possible by the research of Allan Badley, on whose editions this Hofmann series is based. Previously we have had one recording of symphonies and one of cello concertos; now we have violin concertos and one double concerto – all entertaining music from the pen of the cathedral Kapellmeister of St Stephen’s in Vienna, whose post Mozart was supposed to take up on Hofmann’s death. However, he outlived Mozart by two years. The performers are adept and possessed of an easy technique. The cellist Tim Hugh is familiar from the previous CD of Hofmann concertos and the violinist Lorraine McAslan plays very stylishly. The Northern Chamber Orchestra under Nicholas Ward accompanies with taste and discretion. If you are curious as to what was happening musically when Haydn was very young and Mozart a child prodigy, this CD is a good introduction. And compliments to Naxos for its fearless approach to repertoire. HC Robbins Landon
Hofmann
Naxos has restored Leopold Hofmann to the recorded repertoire, and it was a worthwhile idea, made possible by the research of Allan Badley, on whose editions this Hofmann series is based. Previously we have had one recording of symphonies and one of cello concertos; now we have violin concertos and one double concerto – all entertaining music from the pen of the cathedral Kapellmeister of St Stephen’s in Vienna, whose post Mozart was supposed to take up on Hofmann’s death. However, he outlived Mozart by two years. The performers are adept and possessed of an easy technique.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:10 pm