One does not often encounter Paganini's Fourth
Concerto outside complete recorded cycles,
so this beautifully played version is doubly welcome.
The music is attractive enough to put all other Paganini concertos out of your
mind while you
are listening to it.
Thomas Albertus Irnberger, born in 1985 in Salzburg, has studied with Jürgen
Geise, Josef Sabaini ( his conductor here ) and Ivry Gitlis ( who writes a
little testimonial in the booklet).
He is superbly equipped in every department and provides his own cadenza,
which is both
apt and virtuosic without going on too long. I particularly enjoy his staccato.
The Allegro maestoso is nicely laid out by both
soloist and conductor ; the operatic Adagio gets
a suitable bel canto treatment ; and the delightful finale, in which
Irnberger's harmonics are
excellent , is given a wonderful rhythmic lift in its main theme and
convincing changes of character in its episodes. However, I can hardly hear
the important triangle, which is supposed to be playing " obligato ".
The relatively brief
Suonata varsavia has not come my way since
Accardo's EMI recording.
It features variations on a Polish tune and is great fun.
Irnberger again gives faultless display and the chamber orchestra plays Pietro
Spada's deft scoring skillfully.
Ernst Ludwig Leitner's six minute piece is rather like " Paganini meets
Hindemith ". It is very pleasant and is given what seems to be a definitive
performance.
Apart from the too-tactful triangle, the recordings are nicely set in a good
acoustic.
TULLY POTTER