If you're looking for a single disc coupling the two violin concertos of twentieth century Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, this 2006 disc by violinist
Ilya Kaler accompanied by the Warsaw Philharmonic under
Antoni Wit is a real bargin. While there are half a dozen other couplings of the two works available -- including
Thomas Zehetmair's 1995 recording with
Simon Rattle leading the
City of Birmingham Symphony, Konstantly Kulka's 1978 recording with
Jerzy Maksymiuk leading the
Polish Radio Symphony, and
Kaja Danczowska's 1996 recording with
Kazimierz Kord leading the
Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra -- this recording has several distinct virtues. First, soloist
Kaler is a spectacular virtuoso with an innate understanding of Szymanowski's unique brand of lyrical modernism. Second,
Wit and the Warsaw Philharmonic provide him with a first-class accompaniment full of brilliant colors, vivacious rhythms, and the kind of supple sensuality that was Szymanowski's trademark. Third, Naxos' sound, recorded in Warsaw by producers Andrzej Sasin and Aleksandra Nagòrko, is clear, deep, and very atmospheric. Fourth, Naxos' price places this disc within the reach of almost any collector.