Fischer and Fischer Play Mendelssohn

This is a wonderful performance of the last movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, recorded at a concert in Paris May 29, 2010. Violinist Julia Fischer and conductor Ivan Fischer - no relation - perform with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. What makes this performance so special is first and foremost the quality of the playing but also the impeccable phrasing, the articulation and the rthythmic exactitude. Not to mention the joy of music-making which pervades the performance. The superb control is also a major factor. The musicians make suble tempo changes but always in the most natural possible way. This concerto is played day in and day out but rarely do performers succeed in making it fresh again. 


And conductor Fischer does his work with a minimum of histrionics. Beating time is scarcely necessary with an orchestra of this quality - it is really a largish chamber ensemble in the way that it makes music. But Ivan Fischer has a sense of humour too. Not many conductors give cues with their eyebrows but he does.


I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I did.


Paul E. Robinson