Elgar/Weber/Sibelius - Enigma Variations/Konzert

These live performances, even the one recorded in 1939, have been realistically recorded by the Dutch radio engineers. Monteux's consecration is a rather labored interpretation, but grand in scale. He is the ideal accompanist for pianist Lili Kraus in this scintillating performance of Weber's charming Konzertst�ck. Classical music lovers don't need no introduction to the Sibelius Violin Concerto. It's in a class of its own, complex, gripping, and devilishly complicated. Listening to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius' masterpiece, you hear dark, wintry night; pure and crystalline melody. It features violinist Jan Damen, former long-time concertmaster of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.