An article from Audiophile Audition by Mike Birman

The only piano concertos written in the Classical era that can withstand comparison to Mozart’s luminous creations are the four recorded on this Naxos CD…

… It is a joyful, spirited work whose Baroque roots are easily detected, as is the case with the Concerto No. 4 in G Major…

Helmut Muller-Bruhl conducts the superb Cologne Chamber Orchestra, who play this music in an historically informed style but on modern instruments. They are always graceful and invigorating, providing a delightful accompaniment, heightening our pleasure in these shining examples…

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Naxos releases acclaimed violinist Augustin Hadelich’s debut recording for the label, which features Haydn’s Violin Concertos Nos. 1, 3, and 4 with the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Helmut Müller-Brühl.  Other upcoming Naxos recordings with Mr. Hadelich will include a disc of Telemann Fantasies for solo violin.

Of the nine violin concertos at one time ascribed to Haydn, only four were genuine, and one of the four is lost. With their use of the instrument’s higher register, chains of dotted notes, double stopping and ornamental figuration, the Concerti were written to showcase the considerable virtuosity of the principal violin in Haydn’s orchestra, Luigi Tomasini.

Lauded as a “brilliant” violinist by The New York Times, German violinist Augustin Hadelich (2006 Gold Medalist at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis) has established himself as an eloquent and unique voice among the new generation of violinists. As testament to his astonishing versatility across all periods of the repertoire, Mr. Hadelich received the IVCI’s special awards for best performance of a Romantic concerto, Classical concerto, Beethoven sonata, violin sonata other than Beethoven, Bach work, commissioned work, encore piece, and Paganini caprice. Born in Italy in 1984, the son of German parents, Augustin Hadelich holds a diploma (summa cum laude) from the Instituto Mascagni in Livorno, Italy, as well as a graduate diploma and the coveted Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, where he was a student of Joel Smirnoff. He has attended the Marlboro and Ravinia festivals and numerous master classes with renowned violinists, including Uto Ughi, Christoph Poppen, Norbert Brainin, Pinchas Zukerman, Zachar Bron, Yehudi Menuhin, and Miriam Fried. As first-prize winner of the Indianapolis competition, Mr. Hadelich plays the 1683 “ex-Gingold” Stradivari violin and Tourte bow.

Among the thousands of compositions Joseph Haydn wrote were a couple of dozen piano concertos. This podcast looks at Haydn’s life as court composer at the Esterhazy Palace, and the development of the piano during his lifetime.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570485