Coleridge-Taylor & Dvorak: Violin Concertos

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The resurgence of interest in the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor reaches another milestone with this long-overdue first recording of his Violin Concerto. Coleridge-Taylor completed it in 1911... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 22nd Mar 2004
Catalogue No: AV0044
Label: Avie
Length: 62 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

July 2004

Editor's Choice

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Coleridge-Taylor: Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 80

Work length31:34

$5.00

$7.00

Philippe Graffin
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Hankinson

Allegro maestoso- vivace

Track length11:39

$2.00

$2.80

Andante

Track length9:22

$1.50

$2.10

Allegro molto

Track length10:33

$1.50

$2.10

Dvořák: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53

Work length31:04

$5.00

$7.00

Philippe Graffin
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Hankinson

Allegro ma non troppo

Track length11:16

$2.00

$2.80

Adagio ma non troppo

Track length10:08

$1.50

$2.10

Finale - Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo

Track length9:40

$1.50

$2.10

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Acclaimed violinist and prolific recording artist Philippe Graffin scored a major coup when he unearthed the Violin Concerto of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the Afro-English composer whose star has waned since the height of his fame at the turn of the last century, but has rapidly risen again on the strength of this world-premiere recording.

Coleridge-Taylor's education was as English as they come - studying at the Royal College with Stanford alongside such luminaries as Vaughan Williams and Holst - but his most powerful influences were the folk music and poetry of African-Americans and American Indians, reinforced by his first visit to the US in 1900. References to and inspiration from spirituals and slave songs abound in the Violin Concerto, making the coupling of the Violin Concerto by Dvorák, who was equally inspired by American idioms, apt indeed. In fact, the great American violinist Maud Powell who championed Coleridge-Taylor's works and premiered his Violin Concerto in June 1912 - called him the "colored Dvorák". In an interesting twist, the US premiere was nearly derailed when the original parts sank with the Titanic!

Under the inspired direction of British-born conductor Michael Hankinson, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra is a musical miracle in a country whose national priorities seem a far cry from promoting Western classical music. Established in 2000 by a multi-cultural group of committed musicians, the JPO have created an exciting ensemble whose aims extend to the musical education of their public and, thanks to this recording, resound worldwide. Their motto: "A nation that turns its back on its culture turns its back on itself".

Reviews

2010

The resurgence of interest in the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor reaches another milestone with this long-overdue first recording of his Violin Concerto. Coleridge-Taylor completed it in 1911 for the American virtuoso Maud Powell but never lived to hear a note. Abetted by polished and passionate playing from the recently formed Johannesburg PO under its British-born chief Michael Hankinson, Philippe Graffin triumphantly demonstrates what an effective, endearing work it is, acutely responsive as he is to its bittersweet lyricism while equally relishing the many opportunities for solo display in both outer movements.
The choice of Dvorák's concerto as a coupling would no doubt have pleased Coleridge-Taylor; the Czech master was his favourite composer.
Again, there's no missing the wholehearted commitment of all involved. Admittedly, there are times when you're aware that the orchestra isn't in the luxury class, but Graffin plays with such vibrant character and imagination, and the whole venture radiates such a life-affirming spontaneity and joy in music-making that any drawbacks dwindle into insignificance.

Coleridge-Taylor & Dvorak: Violin Concertos

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