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Cover: Edward Elgar & Thomas Adès – Violin Concertos

Edward Elgar & Thomas Adès

Violin Concertos

Christian Tetzlaff, violin
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgårds

ODE 1480-2 · CD · October 2025

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Track listing

6 tracks · 61:52

Listen to samples on selected tracks.

Edward Elgar

  1. Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 43:02
  2. 1 I. Allegro 15:44
  3. 2 II. Andante 11:05
  4. 3 III. Allegro molto 16:13

Thomas Adès

  1. Violin Concerto, ‘Concentric Paths’ 18:50
  2. 4 I. Rings 3:47
  3. 5 II. Paths 10:26
  4. 6 III. Rounds 4:37

About this recording

Star-violinist Christian Tetzlaff, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor John Storgårds present in this album two major British violin concertos written between a century, in 1910 and 2005. Elgar’s passionate violin concerto, completed in 1910, is a classical-romantic violin concerto in three movements. This huge and highly emotional work was in the wake of modernism neglected for several decades before entering into standard concerto repertoire. Here Christian Tetzlaff follows the model of the early recordings of Elgar’s concerto with substantially quicker tempos compared to most modern recordings, and having a great influence on the impact of the piece. Adès’ violin concerto ‘Concentric Paths’, is already a modern classic and no doubt one of the most important concertos written during this century. With its very demanding violin part the work has all the elements of a true concerto, allowing the soloist to sing with his instrument. The beauty of this music lies that everything is written so clearly.

Christian Tetzlaff is considered one of the world’s leading international violinists and maintains a most extensive performing schedule. Musical America named him ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ in 2005. His recording of the Bartók Violin Concertos (ODE 1317-2) received both Gramophone and ICMA Awards, and the recording was also a finalist for the BBC Music Award in 2019. His recording of the Violin Concertos by Mendelssohn and Schumann, released on Ondine in 2011 (ODE 1195-2), and Bach Sonatas and Partitas released in 2017 (ODE 1299-2D) received the ‘Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik’. In addition, in 2015 ICMA awarded Christian Tetzlaff as the ‘Artist of the Year’, and he also received ECHO ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ award in 2017. His recordings on Ondine with Brahms’ Trios (ODE 1271-2D) and Violin Concertos by Dvorák and Suk (1279-5), released in 2015 and 2016, earned GRAMMY nominations.

One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed, and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. The orchestra’s Chief Conductor is John Storgårds, an inspiring musical leader who has built a close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra over many years and Anja Bihlmaier is the Principal Guest Conductor. The trailblazing musical storyteller Julia Wolfe is the Orchestra’s Composer in Residence for 2025/26.

Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, John Storgårds enjoys a dual career as a conductor and violin virtuoso; he is widely recognised for his creative flair for programming and his rousing yet refined performances. Storgårds appears with such orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre national de France, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and all major Nordic orchestras, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra of which he served as Chief Conductor from 2008 to 2015. Further afield, he appears with leading orchestras in Australia, Japan, and the United States. A recording of works by Rautavaara released on Ondine Records received a Gramophone Award in 2012, and in 2023, Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic were nominated for Gramophone magazine’s “Orchestra of the Year Award”.

Features

Liner notes in English and German

The artists

Christian Tetzlaff

Christian Tetzlaff has been one of the most sought-after violinists and exciting musicians on the classical music scene for many years. “The greatest performance of the work I’ve ever heard,” Tim Ashley wrote in the Guardian about his interpretation of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Daniel Harding. In the Frankfurter Rundschau Hans-Klaus Jungheinrich called it virtually a “rediscovery” of this frequently played work.

Full biography

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed, and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 as the 2ZY Orchestra, the Philharmonic has played an essential part in shaping the Greater Manchester region into an unmissable cultural destination and a hub for world-class talent in orchestral music.

Full biography

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