Enigma Variations / Konzertstuck / Violin Concerto

These live performances, even the one recorded in 1939, have been realistically recorded by the Dutch radio engineers. Monteux's consecration is a rather labored interpretation, but grand in scale. He is the ideal accompanist for pianist Lili Kraus in this scintillating performance of Weber's charming Konzertstück. Classical music lovers don't need no introduction to the Sibelius "Violin Concerto". It's in a class of its own, complex, gripping, and devilishly complicated. Listening to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius' masterpiece, you hear dark, wintry night; pure and crystalline melody. It features violinist Jan Damen, former long-time concertmaster of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.