Mendelssohn & Gade: Violin Concertos Thomas Albertus Irnberger

• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847): Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (Second Edition 1845):
• 1 I. Allegro molto appassionato - 11:13
• 2 II. Andante - 07:01
• 3 II. Allegretto non troppo - III. Allegro molto vivace 06:33
• Niels Wilhelm Gade (1817–1890): Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 56:
• 4 I. Allegro con fuoco 11:46
• 5 II. Romanze: Andantino espressivo 07:45
• 6 III. Rondo scherzando: Allegro, ma non troppo 07:22
• Total Runtime 51:40

Info for Mendelssohn & Gade: Violin Concertos

Violinist Thomas Albertus Irnberger from Salzburg, Austria, recently also being sought after in Israel by the most prominent orchestras, is now launching his latest recording with Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra with conductor Doron Salomon, presenting two violin concertos of romanticism. Two oeuvres, whose familiarity could not be more diverging: The violin concerto in E minor, Op. 64 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and the violin concerto in D minor, Op. 56 by Niels Wilhelm Gade. Common grounds, however, can be found in the musical design of their works as well as in personal, artistical matters: Gade, besides being his close friend, became Mendelssohns substitute and later successor in the position of chief conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig.

Thomas Albertus Irnberger, violin
Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
Doron Salomon, conductor

Thomas Albertus Irnberger
who was born in Salzburg 1985, is among Austria’s leading violinists. The German specialist press wrote: “like hardly any other young artist in his field, in recent years Irnberger has secured himself a leading position amongst Europe’s violinist elite.”

At the age of 15 in the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels he celebrated a debut that attracted widespread attention as the soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

Since then Thomas Albertus Irnberger has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in major concert halls in Europe, Israel and in Asia, for instance in the Herkulessaal in Munich, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Beethovenhalle in Bonn, the “Glocke” in Bremen, the Laeiszhalle Hamburg, the Stadthalle in Karlsruhe, the Meistersingerhalle Nuremberg, the Liederhalle Stuttgart, the Fairfield Hall London, the Museum of Art, Tel Aviv, the Henry Crown Auditorium, Jerusalem, the Rebecca Crown Auditorium, Jerusalem, the Heichal HaTarbut, Rishon LeZion, the Théatre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, the Casals Hall, Tokyo and in the Musikverein in Vienna.

He has been a guest at renowned international festivals such as for example, the “Festivals internationales de Violon – Signé Ivry Gitlis” in France, the Mahler-Festival Toblach/Dobbiaco, the Weilburger Schlosskonzerte, the Menuhin Festival Blonay, the Schleswig Holstein Festival, the Karel Halír Festival Prague, the Bruckner Fest Linz etc. At the age of 17 his debut double CDs featuring works by Hindemith, Debussy, Enescu, Paganini, Kreisler, Fauré and Elgar was released by Pan Classics and received excellent critiques in the specialist press in which his “brilliant technical ability combined with a mature creative power and sophisticated sound”, his “differentiated tone colours”, and his “assured feeling for style” were singled out for praise.

In 2004 he signed an exclusive contract with the established Vienna label Gramola and built up a notable and much acclaimed discography. In 2017 the artist will present his 40th CD recording.

His recordings have regularly been the recipients of prizes and top rankings from the international press: Supersonic Award – Luxembourg, Opus dʼor – Paris, top recording on several occasions (10 stars) at Klassik heute – Germany, 5 stars in Ensemble Magazin – Germany, several recommendations by Crescendo magazine – Germany, nomination for the Amadeus Classic Award 2006, Strad Selection – London, Gramophone recommendation – London, Oe1- CD of the Day and of the Month, Oe1 Pasticcio Prize, CD des Tages plus at Radio Stephansdom (Radio Klassik), Radio-Bremen recommendation, Grand prix du disque – honorary diploma Franz Liszt 2012, ION Arts Washington “10 worldʼs best classic CDs 2011”, Fanfare Magazine recommendations – New York, American Record Review – recommendations, The Record Geijutsu – Tokyo et al., CD of the week at the German Radio stations of BR, MDR, SWR and WDR, Radio Toscana and Radio Bolzano etc.

His regular chamber music partners include renowned musicians as Paul Badura-Skoda, Jörg Demus, Michael Korstick, David Geringas, Barbara Moser, Pavel Kašpar and Edoardo Torbianelli.

Since 2008 Thomas Albertus Irnberger has devoted himself to research into and the rediscovery of “ostracised composers” and in Israel he played the first performance of the violin concerto by Hans Gál. Enthusiastic critics wrote in this regard: “Music that represents a revelation”. A further focal point of his work together with Barbara Moser is the wide field of music by female composers which, unjustly, does not yet enjoy the status it deserves.

Booklet for Mendelssohn & Gade: Violin Concertos