Star-violinist Christian Tetzlaff, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor John Storgårds present in this album two major British violin concertos written between a century, in 1910 and 2005. Elgar’s passionate Violin Concerto, completed in 1910, is a classical-romantic violin concerto in three movements. This huge and highly emotional work was in the wake of modernism neglected for several decades before entering into standard concerto repertoire. Here Christian Tetzlaff follows the model of the early recordings of Elgar’s concerto with substantially quicker tempos compared to most modern recordings, and having a great influence on the impact of the piece. Adès’s Violin Concerto ‘Concentric Paths’, is already a modern classic and no doubt one of the most important concertos written during this century. With its very demanding violin part the work has all the elements of a true concerto, allowing the soloist to sing with his instrument. The beauty of this music lies that everything is written so clearly.

Christian Tetzlaff is considered one of the world’s leading international violinists and maintains a most extensive performing schedule. Musical America named him ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ in 2005. His recording of the Bartók Violin Concertos (ODE13172) received both Gramophone and ICMA Awards, and the recording was also a finalist for the BBC Music Award in 2019. His recording of the Violin Concertos by Mendelssohn and Schumann, released on Ondine in 2011 (ODE11952), and Bach Sonatas and Partitas released in 2017 (ODE12992D) received the ‘Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik’. In addition, in 2015 ICMA awarded Christian Tetzlaff as the ‘Artist of the Year’, and he also received ECHO ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ award in 2017. His recordings on Ondine with Brahms’s Trios (ODE12712D) and Violin Concertos by Dvořák and Suk (ODE12795), released in 2015 and 2016, earned Grammy nominations.

One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed, and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. The orchestra’s Chief Conductor is John Storgårds, an inspiring musical leader who has built a close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra over many years and Anja Bihlmaier is the Principal Guest Conductor. The trailblazing musical storyteller Julia Wolfe is the Orchestra’s Composer in Residence for 2025/26.

Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, John Storgårds enjoys a dual career as a conductor and violin virtuoso; he is widely recognised for his creative flair for programming and his rousing yet refined performances. Storgårds appears with such orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre national de France, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and all major Nordic orchestras, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra of which he served as Chief Conductor from 2008 to 2015. Further afield, he appears with leading orchestras in Australia, Japan, and the United States. A recording of works by Rautavaara released on Ondine Records received a Gramophone Award in 2012, and in 2023, Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic were nominated for Gramophone magazine’s ‘Orchestra of the Year Award’.