Bright and snappy performances of repertoire that ranges from the relatively rare to the exceedingly rare, this 2006 Hänssler disc features violinist
Lukas Hagen in three different works for violin and orchestra from the high classical period: Joseph Haydn's Violin Concerto in G major, Michael Haydn's Violin Concerto in B flat major, and Mozart's Adagio in E major. Ususally heard in his role as first violinist with the
Hagen Quartett,
Lukas Hagen's solo playing is tight and passionate with a very intense tone and a sweet little vibrato at the ends of phrases, and he clearly knows how to make the most of the music on his stand. Though some might mistake Joseph Haydn's masterfully lyrical concerto for one of Mozart's better known concerts, few would mistake Michael Haydn's polished but thoroughly anonymous concerto for his brother's work. Mozart's Adagio, however, is a prime piece of early Mozart -- elegantly tender and wonderfully poised with those charmingly unexpected touches that make Mozart Mozart. With the stylish and committed playing of the Camerata Salzburg,
Hagen creates interpretations that deserve to be heard by anyone who already knows and enjoys Mozart's violin concertos and is interested in hearing more works from the same period. Typically clear and clean, Hänssler's digital sound is warmer and richer than usual.