Liza Ferschtman - Julius Röntgen: Violin Concertos (2011)

It is amazing how many we’ll written enjoyable (to hear) violin concertos there are that are rarely played or recorded. The two here are in that category. Julius Röntgen spent most of his life (1855-1932) in the Netherlands, away from what was then the major musical centers. Consequently, he did not receive the recognition elsewhere that he deserved. The two violin concertos here are outstanding. The first from 1902 in a minor played ahere by Liza Ferschtman has been recorded also by Ragin. I am torn between the two recordings. it is a large Romantic concerto in 3 movements, a fiery opening movement, with a luscious slow movement, ending with a challenging movement requiring great technique. The 3rd concerto in f sharp minor from 1931 is equally thrilling for the listener and formidable for the performer. The cd also includes a Ballad for Violin and Orchestra, written in 1918.
Some sources attribute 5 violin concertos to Röntgen, but one of these was probably written by his wife-to-be and another might have been destroyed, perhaps used in another work. I hope Ferschtman will record the 2nd concerto