ARAM KHACHATURIAN : Konzerte für Violine und Violoncello (Daniel Müller-Schott, Arabella Steinbacher) (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

If you're going to record the fiendishly difficult and vibrant violin and cello concertos of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, magnificently clean, virtuosic, and sensitive performances are absolutely essential for soloists and orchestra alike. Fortunately, that is precisely what is achieved on this recording featuring violinist Arabella Steinbacher, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Müller-Schott's performance of the cello concerto, first on the CD, is beyond exciting. His technique is sparkling and gives listeners the impression that even the most difficult passages are completely effortless. Always infused with the folk-like panache so necessary for Khachaturian's works, technical passages are always exciting and never sterile. The second movement is sultry and filled with tension. Offering a similarly virtuosic performance, Steinbacher's violin playing is throaty and guttural, another ideal match for Khachaturian. Filled with passionate risk-taking, the folksy, almost militaristic third movement is a tour de force for soloist and orchestra alike, while the passionate second movement showcases violin playing that is nothing short of sexy. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's tight and sensitive accompaniment only enhances the virtuosity of these two soloists. by Mike D. Brownell  

Aram Khatchaturian (1859-1935)

1-3 Konzert Für Violoncello Und Orchester (32:12)
4-6 Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester (37:58)

Violoncello – Daniel Müller-Schott
Conductor – Sakari Oramo
Orchestra – City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Violin – Arabella Steinbacher

BRITTEN & HINDEMITH : Violin Concertos (Arabella Steinbacher · Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin · Vladimir Jurowski) (2017) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There are few clearer demonstrations of the high level of technical ability among violinists today than the profusion of good recordings of Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto, Op. 15, which Jascha Heifetz said was unplayable, but which is confidently taken on here by Arabella Steinbacher, accompanied by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Vladimir Jurowski. It is indeed a fearsome virtuoso essay, one of the few Britten wrote. One factor recommending this version over others is the pairing with Paul Hindemith's Violin Concerto, not a work commonly heard in the 21st century. It makes sense here: both concertos were composed in 1939, and the Britten has the flavor of a work prepared for the extroverted American market. The Hindemith has, perhaps, a different, more melancholy flavor of exile. Sample Steinbacher's performance in the slashing second movement of the Britten, where her perfect control does suggest Heifetz. The two concertos also both refer to Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, both in their timpani strokes and in a more general relationship of soloist to orchestra; Jurowski's accompaniment is unusually sensitive and well-integrated with Steinbacher's lines. Pentatone's studio sound, rather eerily clear, is another major attraction. James Manheim  
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Violin Concerto Op. 15
1    Moderato Con Moto    10:17
2    Vivace - Largamente - Cadenza    9:12
3    Passacaglia, Andante Lento (Un Poco Meno Mosso)    15:23

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)
Violin Concerto
4    Mässig Bewegte Halbe    9:56
5    Langsam    10:03
6    Lebhaft    10:44

Conductor – Vladimir Jurowski
Orchestra – Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
Violin – Arabella Steinbacher