HAYDN: VIOLIN CONCERTOS; MENDELSSOHN: OCTET - SEJONG SOLOISTS, GIL SHAHAM

Gil Shaham violin

Sejong Soloists


Gil Shaham and Sejong Soloists’ association extends well over a decade, the Haydn concerti and Mendelssohn Octet on this release benefiting from a US tour in April 2009 just prior to the recording sessions. Haydn and Mendelssohn may not be obvious bedfellows but there is considerable synergy in the composers and this repertoire. Both Haydn’s C major and G major concerti date from the 1760s, still very much in his self proclaimed, “extended youthful period”, together with the fresh and adventurous nature of the Octet, composed when Mendelssohn was still just a teenager. Haydn and Mendelssohn also shared a certain financial freedom that seemed to propel both to new heights of inspiration.

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.1 in C major (Hob. VIIa:1) - 1 Allegro moderato
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.1 in C major (Hob. VIIa:1) - 2 Adagio
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.1 in C major (Hob. VIIa:1) - 3 Finale: Presto

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.4 in G major (Hob. VIIa:4) - 1 Allegro moderato
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.4 in G major (Hob. VIIa:4) - 2 Adagio
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Violin Concerto No.4 in G major (Hob. VIIa:4) - 3 Finale: Allegro

FELIX MENDELSSOHN Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op.20 - Allegro molto e vivace
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op.20 - Andante
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op.20 - Scherzo
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Octet for Strings in E-flat major, Op.20 - Molto allegro e vivace