Charles-Auguste Bériot was one of the great violinists of the 19th century.

He was a great performer and composer, and he was also a renowned teacher who helped create the Franco-Belgian school of violin playing.

This podcast looks at his music, and his legacy as a teacher.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570360

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On August 26, Naxos releases the most recent recording from two-time Grammy®-nominee and violinist Philippe Quint: Charles-Auguste de Bériot’s Violin Concertos Nos. 2, 3 & 5.

One of the most distinguished violinists of his time, Bériot was the father of the Franco-Belgian school of playing. His 10 violin concertos display the youthful élan and high spirits of early Romanticism. Bériot combined elements of the French School charm and taste with the new pyrotechnics pioneered by Paganini. Bériot’s Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 show the immediate influence of Paganini with their brilliant displays of virtuosity and operatic melodies, while the Concerto No. 5 shows the composer’s more playful side.

In his 34 years, Quint has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Africa. The Strad described him as “dazzling. He is a violinist of uncommon brilliance and flair. Intonation is impeccable, and he brings to the score the grand gestures of his Russian training.” Quint has appeared with major orchestras across the globe under the batons of noted conductors who include Kurt Masur, Marin Alsop, Andrew Litton, Maxim Shostakovich, Hans Graf, and Carlos Miguel Prieto.

He has been nominated for two Grammy® Awards (including one for Best Soloist with orchestra) for his Naxos debut release of William Schuman’s Violin Concerto, an album that also won “Editor’s Choice” distinctions from Gramophone and Strad magazines. The disc thoroughly established his unique identity as a champion of American music as he continued his explorations with three more critically acclaimed releases: Bernstein’s Serenade (Marin Alsop/Bournemouth Symphony/Naxos), Ned Rorem’s Violin Concerto (Serebrier/Royal Liverpool/Naxos), and Miklos Rozsa’s complete works for violin and piano.

Quint’s newest Naxos CD release in May 2008 of Corigliano/Thomson has already been received with great enthusiasm, winning Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice” for September 2008 and WNYC’s “CD Pick of the Week.” In December, 2008, Naxos releases Quint’s performance of Korngold’s beloved Violin Concerto, with Carlos Miguel Prieto conducting. He has also completed a new CD of works by Paganini, arranged by Fritz Kreisler, slated for release in 2009.

He will return to Carnegie’s Weill Hall on September 23, 2008 at 8 PM to perform a recital of solo violin works.