Alfredo Campoli / Adrian Boult - Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Bruch: Scottish Fantasia / Analogphon

The world of classical music is rich in outstanding recordings of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor. The interpretation by British musician Alfredo Campoli (1906-1991), who is considered a violinist of great individuality and versatility,

is regarded by many experts and music lovers as one of the best recordings ever made. The same applies to his interpretation of Max Bruch's “Scottish Fantasy,” which would also have done credit to Pablo de Sarasate, to whom the composer

dedicated the work. The Korean label Analogphonic has now taken on this legendary recording, which is based on the popular Universal Music recording from 1958.

Gramophone writes: “Campoli plays most beautifully – the finale, in particular, is accurate and brilliant in the extreme... Campoli’s sweet-toned account of the Mendelssohn has given pleasure for many years. His lyrical feeling in the slow movement

and his virtuosity in the finale are as self-evident as is the excellence of the accompaniment under Sir Adrian Boult. There are many felicitous touches and the distinguished soloist plays magnificently throughout. His account of the Bruch Scottish Fantasia

is no less fine, and the recorded sound is amazingly fresh.” Jonathan Woolf from Music Web International also gives the recording an extremely positive review: “Certainly the Mendelssohn Concerto was Campoli’s signature dish... and this 1958 stereo

recording is much admired. Campoli’s tone is deliciously sweet and he has typically interesting ideas in the passagework. As ever the slow movement is the heart of things, with affectionate lyricism always to the fore. The finale is poised, fluent and fleet - but

not flashily so. The Scottish Fantasy was a work Campoli only recorded once... Campoli is an expressive host, warmly moulding the ‘MacBruch’ tunes to delightful effect. The scherzo is played with pure panache and there are some lovely diminuendi in the

Andante sostenuto. He was without doubt the most dashing British violinist of his generation.”

Analogphonic commissioned Maarten de Boer to remaster the Universal Music master tapes. The remastering at Emil Berliner Studios does justice to the outstanding musical quality of the recording in every respect and sets new standards in terms of sound quality.

The LP reissue of “Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto, Bruch - Scottish Fantasia” by Alfredo Campoli, Adrian Boult and the London Philharmonic Orchestra was pressed on high-quality 180-gram vinyl (33 RPM) by Pallas Group GmbH in Germany.

MUSICIANS

Alfredo Campoli (violin), Sir Adrian Boult (conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra

Recorded from 6. to 8. May 1958 at Kingsway Hall, London, United Kingdom

We recommend the use of "L'Art du Son" LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Title

Side A

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847):

“Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64”

1. 1st Movement: Allegro Molto Appassionato

2. 2nd Movement: Andante

3. 3rd Movement: Allegro Molto Vivace

Side B

Max Bruch (1838-1920): “Scottish Fantasia, Op. 46”

1. Introduction

2. 1st Movement: Adagio Cantabile

3. 2nd Movement: Allegro

4. 3rd Movement: Andante Sostenuto

5. 4th Movement: Allegro Guerriero