Edward Elgar - Violin Concerto (Frank Peter Zimmermann)

Information

Composer: Edward Elgar

• Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61

Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: BIS

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This recording features Frank Peter Zimmermann in a performance of the Violin Concerto by Edward Elgar, widely regarded as one of the most demanding and emotionally profound works in the violin repertoire. Joined by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under principal conductor Edward Gardner, Zimmermann delivers a reading that balances technical precision with expressive depth. Dedicated to violinist Fritz Kreisler, the concerto is characterized by expansive lyricism, intricate tempo shifts, and a strong emotional narrative. Zimmermann’s interpretation emphasizes both its grandeur and introspective qualities, supported by responsive orchestral playing that highlights the work’s dramatic contrasts and lyrical continuity.

Frank Peter Zimmermann is a German violinist born in Duisburg in 1965, widely regarded as one of the leading violinists of his generation. He began studying the violin at age five and made his orchestral debut at ten, later training with teachers including Valery Gradov, Saschko Gawriloff, and Herman Krebbers. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Zimmermann has performed with many of the world’s major orchestras and conductors across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia, and has built an extensive award-winning discography covering repertoire from Bach to Ligeti. He is also active in chamber music, notably as a founding member of the Trio Zimmermann, and has premiered works by contemporary composers such as Magnus Lindberg and Brett Dean. Zimmermann performs on the 1711 Antonio Stradivari violin “Lady Inchiquin,” on loan from the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf.

High Resolution 24-bit / 192 kHz