BLOCH: Violin Concerto in A minor. BACH:...

BLOCH: Violin Concerto in A minor. BACH: Concerto in D minor for two violins, BWV 1043. Joseph Szigeti, violin. Pearl GEMM CD 9938. Well known for his active support of contemporary music in his day, Szigeti here put his talents at the service of Bloch’s dated Violin Concerto, a work full of pseudo-American Indian themes and B-movie exoticisms. No matter--Szigeti’s playing is forceful and penetrating, rich in vibrato, perfumed with portamento, rock-solid technically, even though he was never noted for the beauty of his sound. Charles Munch and the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra accompany with intensity in this premiere recording of the work, made in 1939. A passionate reading of Bloch’s “Nigun” (recorded 1928) and a sturdy and vital Double Concerto by Bach (with Carl Flesch, from 1937) complete the disc.