The early concerto’s lyrical opening movement finds Renaud Capuçon in his element, producing paying of great Warmth and intimacy…Capuçon negotiates Bartok’s very tricky writing with admirable virtuosity throughout. He’s sympathetically accompanied by François-Xavier Roth and the London Symphony Orchestra.

The interplay between Capuçon's melancholic sound and the counterpoint of the LSO string section is a marvellous thing to behold...This is a stunner of a disc. With commanding musicianship from Capuçon, extremely intelligent and attentive conducting from Roth, and the LSO on the very best of their always magnificent form, this is undoubtedly one of my top discs of the year so far!

Capuçon’s keen, lean lyricism in the solo part, and his chamber music-like rapport with the LSO’s woodwind soloists, offer compelling perspectives on this well-known, if still not popular, music. Roth is a kindred spirit, responding to the emotional depth of Capuçon’s solo line in the central andante tranquillo of the Second Concerto.