PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No. 1; R. STRAUSS: Violin Concerto; TCHAIKOVSKY: Valse-Scherzo - Boris Belkin,

If you think the three pieces on this disc make odd bedfellows, just listen to the opening of the finale of the Paganini, skip to the finale of the Strauss and then go into the Tchaikovsky Valse-Scherzo. Sparkling wit and virtuosity abound and what’s more, the Paganini receives its first release on CD (outside Taiwan), the Tchaikovsky was only ever momentarily available in CD and the Strauss is a party piece quite unlike anything else the composer wrote. 

‘Belkin’s commanding and dashing performances earn a strong recommendation’ Fanfare

‘A real treat for violin fans … Belkin’s technique is beyond reproach, with many passages that stun for their sheer audacity as well as accuracy’ ClassicsToday.com

‘Belkin bestows on this music the same sterling musicianship you would expect of him when playing one of the great concertos, especially in the engaging, brightly-lit first movement and the finale’s driving presto’ ClassicsToday.com

NICOLÒ PAGANINI
Violin Concerto No. 1 in B major, Op. 6

Boris Belkin, violin
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta

RICHARD STRAUSS
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34

Boris Belkin, violin
Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin [Strauss]
New Philharmonia Orchestra [Tchaikovsky]
Vladimir Ashkenazy