Nominee in Large Ensemble/Soloist with Large Ensemble Album of the Year category.

“... The rapport between the BBC Philharmonic and its conductor laureate Gianandrea Noseda is amply illustrated, with James Ehnes a technically flawless soloist (both as violinist and violist)”

 

’Critics Choice’

"Passion, tang, bravura and a beguiling lyricism make all these performances utterly compelling ..."

“... Ehnes’s recording is an amazing achievement and is blessed with terrific sound, and will not disappoint any lover of this music or of great violin playing.” 

“Unusually, the three concerti are gathered on one CD by the Canadian James Ehnes, and fine works they are with superb performances from the beautifully toned soloist with alert and sympathetic support by the BBC Philharmoic under Gianandrea Noseda.”

 

Artistic Quality 10       Sound Quality 10

“... the quality of Ehnes’ playing and the value of the program earn this disc a top recommendation.” 

“The Strad Recommends”

“He [Bartok] is aided and abetted by the BBC Philharmonic on the very top of its form, with terrific woodwind and hefty brass, and Giandrea Noseda a sensitive, dynamic partner. The sound is clean and clear, with the soloist to the fore in a warm resonant acoustic.” 

Performance *****        Recording *****

“Chandos could not have chosen a more ideal team for this project than James Ehnes, Gianandrea Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic. Here they demonstrate an instinctive understanding for the different musical characteristics of each work, from the late-Romantic ardour of the First and the more complex Second to the introverted melancholy of the late Viola Concerto. While encapsulating these distinctive emotional worlds, they nevertheless maintain a tight grip over the music’s structural direction Chandos have done soloist, conductor and orchestra proud with a warmly engineered recording that allows us to hear a wealth of inner detail.” 

"... Ehnes’s sweet tone and sensitive musicianship make this an unexpectedly rewarding disc, with warm-blooded accompaniments from the BBC Philharmonic under Gianandrea Noseda."   **** 

"... a new Bartók disc that clearly deserves serious attention This is one of the best recent recordings I’ve heard of this Concerto [Viola], wholly alert to its moments of capriciousness and drama as well as its poetry this new Chandos release is a very attractive proposition." 

CD of the Week"

"In this recording, the Canadian violinist (and violist) James Ehnes places the three works in chronological order, with the great Violin Concerto No 2 rightfully occupying focal position. His sinewy, lean tone is perfect for the mature Bartok’s stark, rebarbative harmonic language, yet he percieves the lyrical, folkloric vein that runs through the composer’s greatest masterpieces.Ehnes makes the attractive but uncharacteristic early concerto worth hearing, but he really warms to the late lyrical manner Bartók adopted for the Viola Concerto Noseda’s BBC Phil are on top form and the splendour of Chando’s sound enhances these rewarding performances."

“ ... The passionate, playful narrative running through Bartók’s first Violin Concerto is affectionately caught by soloist and orchestra alike in this superb performance by James Ehnes and the BBC Philharmonic under Gianandrea Noseda”  ***** 

"... The three concertos here, all played by the superbly expressive Canadian violinist/violist James Ehnes span Bartók’s career Gianandrea Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic are sensitive, skilful partners."