Richard Tognetti, Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Christian Lindberg - Dvorak: Violin Concerto, Legends, Op. 59 (2010) Hi-Res

In his first recording as a soloist for BIS, violinist Richard Tognetti turns in a splendid, sprightly, and deeply felt performance of Dvorák's Violin Concerto in A minor. With his clean but sweet one, ample but focused vibrato, and impeccable technique, Tognetti delivers a performance near the top of its class, easily surpassing Perlman's overly opulent version and challenging even Josef Suk's all but definitive version. Joined by trombonist turned conductor Christian Lindberg -- alert and engaging -- and the Nordic Chamber Orchestra -- tight but relaxed -- Tognetti's performance may introduce a new generation to this delightful if underrated work. The coupling, however, is less successful. Dvorák's Legends for orchestra, 10 short works in the style though not in the form of the same composer's Slavonic Dances, are not quite in the same league as the dances in terms of immediate appeal, and these well-played but not especially sensitive interpretations do not display them to best advantage. For that, try earlier performances by Kubelik or Mackerras. As always with BIS, the digital sound is crisp, clear, and deep.