Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Joshua Bell (CD)

Discs: 1 
Record Label: Sony 
Release Date: June 22, 2018 

“Bell, now in charge of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, proves a capable conductor as well as, when required, a sumptuous Romantic violinist. He is fully aware of the performance practices of the time in which these pieces were written, with plenty of portamento and the richest tone that an abandoned vibrato can produce.” — BBC Music Magazine 

Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell showcases two masterpieces from romantic composer Max Bruch. This album features his first recording of the virtuosic Scottish Fantasy, as well as a new recording of his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, which he first recorded over 30 years ago with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner. Now, as music director of the Academy, Bell both performs and directs the orchestra and offers a fresh take on both works. 

In recent years, the Scottish Fantasy has become a favorite performance piece for Bell and his affection for the piece runs deep and with good reason: “My father’s descendants were from Scotland, and I grew up hearing stories about how my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather fought in the Black Watch in Scotland. My dad was proud of his Scottish heritage, and this connection makes the melodies in Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy even more meaningful to me.” The Fantasy bristles with the snap and lilt of Scottish folk songs and Bell goes on to say “It is one of the most beautiful and touching pieces I know, and so brilliantly orchestrated. It is a unique ‘concerto,’ not following the traditional three-movement form. Each of its four movements tells a story.” 

Contents: 

Bruch Scottish Fantasy for Violin, Op. 46 
Joshua Bell conductor & violin 
Academy of St Martin in the Fields 

Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 
Joshua Bell conductor & violin 
Academy of St Martin in the Fields