Britten & Bruch: Violin Concertos

“.. he [Hahn] tosses off the considerable technical challenges without comprising character, with one of the better sounds in the violin world. I applaud Leong for recording In Memoriam … it is beautiful and haunting music… The Bruch concerto is excellent…”

Choc du Classica

Classical Album of the Week

“…it’s a struggle to think of a lovelier and more romanticised reading of the slow movement [Bruch’s First Violin Concerto ] than the one here from Kerson Leong … The proceedings open with Britten’s Violin Concerto … where Leong captures the torment and turmoil at the heart of the work, nowhere more so than in the shattering passacaglia.” *****

“Leong plays with a penetrating tone that suits the Britten well … “  ****

The Strad Recommends

“… In Bruch’s First Concerto, Leong has the required flair and technique, but everything speaks – as throughout the disc – with sincerity and without exaggeration. This is a performance not only to gratify fans of the concerto but also to convert its detractors.”

Editor’s Choice – Orchestral Section

“… it is the coupling of the Britten Violin Concerto (gratifyingly becoming more and more core repertoire these days) which...sets this disc apart… With outstanding collaboration from Patrick Hahn and the Philharmonia Orchestra I can’t recall a better account of the piece than this.”

“…As one would expect, Leong moves through the program on absolutely safe technical ground. But he also offers much more, namely a consistently intensive tonal examination … The Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Patrick Hahn … offers a style of playing adapted to the soloist’s playing, which allows juice and power as well as structural transparency to be heard.” *****