Wieniawski. Henryk Wieniawski: "Violin Concerto op. 14", "Fantasie brillante sur 'Faust' opera by Charles Gounod op. 20", "Violin Concerto no. 2 in d minor op. 22", "Kujawiak in a minor", "Obertas no 1 op. 19". Vadim Brodsky - violin, National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, cond. Antoni Wit, Tomasz Michalak. DUX 2003 - DUX 0410, DDD 73'30".
Henryk Wieniawski was one of the most remarkable violin players of the 19th century. He graduated in Paris Conservatory at the age of 11 as the youngest graduate in the school's history. He performed in nearly every European country and in the U.S.A. with great success and achieving great fame. He sacrificed his last years to pedagogics teaching at the Brussels Conservatory. He also, starting at a very young age, found time to compose. Among the approximately 50 pieces he wrote the most important works are the two violin concertos - I Koncert fis-moll / CONCERTO NO. 1 IN F SHARP MAJOR and the II Koncert d-moll / CONCERTO NO. 2 IN D MINOR. Both have a strongly virtuosic character, yet they also contain many beautiful melodical themes. The bravado and very popular Fantazja na motywach z opery 'Faust' Charlesa Gounoda / FANTASIE BRILLANTE SUR "FAUST" OPERA BY CHARLES GOUNOD was reinstrumented for the orchestra by Vadim Brodsky, the performer of the solo parts on all pieces featured on this disc.
Vadim Brodsky is a very interesting character - a Russian with Polish citizenship, living in Italy, a very talented violin player, the winner of the prestigious HENRYK WIENIAWSKI COMPETITION in Poznan in 1977, the author of arrangements of "The Beatles" for violin and orchestra. Wieniawski's works are an important part of his rich concert repertoire, including the smaller compositions like the dances featured on this disc - the famous KUJAWIAK IN A MINOR and the lively OBERTAS, where many references to the Polish folk music can be found. The soloist is accompanied by one of the best Polish orchestras - POLISH RADIO NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA directed by Antoni Wit and Tomasz Michalak (on the II Koncert skrzypcowy d-moll op. 22 / VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 2 IN D MINOR OP. 22).
Wieniawski. Henryk Wieniawski: "Violin Concerto op. 14", "Fantasie brillante sur 'Faust' opera by Charles Gounod op. 20", "Violin Concerto no. 2 in d minor op. 22", "Kujawiak in a minor", "Obertas no 1 op. 19". Vadim Brodsky - violin, National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, cond. Antoni Wit, Tomasz Michalak. DUX 2003 - DUX 0410, DDD 73'30".
Polish Music Information Center
Polish Composers' Union
June 2003