This week Classical reviewer Geoff Adams listens to a recording of Puccini's Madame Butterfly featuring Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kauffman, and violin concertos by Louis Spohr.
Louis Spohr: Violin Concertos 6, 8 and 11. Simone Lamsma, Sinfonia Finlandia Jyvaskyla. Naxos CD.
Spohr (1784-1859) was a famous German violinist in his time and he trained more than 200 violinists, composers and conductors. He wrote many operas, nine symphonies, and much chamber music. His 18 violin concertos are delightful - lyrical and elegant, including elements of Paganini's virtuosity. They should be played less rarely in concerts; Lamsma, a young Dutch soloist who has won many honours, displays the outstanding beauty of three of them on this fine recording. The works include many formidable passages - double stopping and slurred staccatos played with ease. Lamsma has a fast vibrato in the style of Maurice Hasson, one of her mentors. Patrick Gallois conducts a sensitive orchestral accompaniment.
Highlight: Gorgeous tone of 1709 Carlo Tononi violin captured by the engineers.
