Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos

Filled with Mendelssohn's signature freshness and lightness of touch, the Violin Concerto in D minor and the Sonata, Op. 4 are youthful products but written with an assurance which is startling in its maturity. The substantial earlier concerto gives a foretaste of the originality and soaring inspiration which has made the Violin Concerto, Op. 64 one of the most enduring works of its age.

Acclaimed as "an unquestioned master of the violin" (American Record Guide), Tianwa Yang has quickly established herself as a leading international performer and recording artist, with highly acclaimed discs of works by Sarasate and Piazzolla amongst others.

Almost invariably coupled with one romantic violin concerto or another, this substantial all-Mendelssohn program sees the Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 strikingly placed next to the much less familiar Concerto in D minor. Together with the Violin Sonata, Op. 4, this trilogy of perfectly formed and superbly performed Mendelssohn masterpieces is irresistible.

Tianwa Yang's playing has been admired by Gramophone, stating that "one simply marvels and enjoys" her performances of Sarasate (Music for Violin and Piano Vol. 3, 8570893).

Yang's profi le has also been enhanced with a significant recent recording of Wolfgang Rihm's Complete Works for Violin and Piano (8572730).