The Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings label is launching a new album series in which members of the orchestra are presented as soloists with exceptional programmes. The series kicks off with an album by first concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley featuring three works under the direction of Kirill Petrenko: Mozart’s lesser-known Violin Concerto No. 1; and Leone Sinigaglia’s Romance in A major and Rapsodia piemontese. Sinigaglia, a Jewish-Italian composer, was persecuted by the Nazis, and his music was suppressed as a consequence.
“The dance-like Rapsodia piemontese is a virtuosic miniature, a type of work that was very popular at the time,” explains Noah Bendix-Balgley. “I particularly enjoy working out the different characters — they contain a plethora of details and are engagingly charming. The intimately lyrical Romance is influenced by Dvořák’s colourful orchestration ”. As for Mozart’s concerto, Bendix-Balgley is particularly impressed by the “youthful, fresh energy” of the 17-year-old composer.
The album will be available from 21 June 2024 digitally from Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings and all common digital music providers. The series continues with albums by Amihai Grosz and Marie-Pierre Langlamet.