Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1 / Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8

Hilary Hahn tackles works by legendary violin virtuosos Nicolo Paganini and Louis Spohr.

Star violinist Hilary Hahn once again shows her talent for unusual yet convincing programmes as she juxtaposes violin concertos by two predominant violin virtuosos of the early Romantic era, Nicolo Paganini and Louis Spohr.

Both concertos were composed around 1816 to serve as effective showpieces for the composers' own tour activities - thus both pieces are packed with stunningly virtuosic figures, beautiful cantilenas, and dramatic effects that were intended to leave the audience breathless and helped to establish the violinists' legendary status.

While Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 is a favourite among musicians and audiences, Louis Spohr's Concerto No. 8 is virtually unknown today. Spohr, who was one of the most respected composers of his time, has constructed this concerto like an Italian opera scene, with the violin taking over the singers' parts. The concerto was a popular concert piece for more than a century before it disappeared from performance programs for no obvious reason.

Hilary Hahn has the superior technique needed to tackle even the most difficult figures and to make this music shine. Her performances of the Paganini Concerto have been hailed by critics: 'Hilary Hahn, this queen of Apollonian clarity and compelling concentration . . . In her playing the wondrously singing lyrical passages were a response to the flawless ecstasy of supreme violinistic artistry.' Süddeutsche Zeitung