Johan Dalene plays Mendelssohn, Bruch and Vaughan Williams
2025
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Gemma New/Malin Broman, conductors
Swedish Radio Choir
Kaspars Putniņš, conductor
Following his recordings of Tchaikovsky and Barber concertos (BIS2440), honoured with a “Diapason d’or”, Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice” and BBC Music Magazine’s “Concerto Choice”, and Nielsen and Sibelius (BIS2620), awarded Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice”, Swedish-Norwegian violinist Johan Dalene now takes on three of the most popular concertante works for violin in the entire repertoire, composed in three different eras. Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E minor needs no introduction: this masterpiece from the composer’s mature period is one of the best known and most beloved works in all of classical music thanks to its freshness, originality of writing, and magnificent themes. Max Bruch’s First Violin Concerto, another pillar of the violin repertoire, is appreciated for its natural lyricism and memorable melodies. In these two works, Johan Dalene is accompanied by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by its concertmaster Malin Broman (Mendelssohn) and by Gemma New (Bruch). Imbued with a serene, meditative spirit and a sense of communion with nature, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending concludes the program. However, the work is not performed here in its well-known orchestral version, but rather with choir in an arrangement by Paul Drayton. The Swedish Radio Choir is conducted by its director Kaspars Putniņš, a musical partnership whose recordings on BIS have earned numerous awards.
Reviews
"Dalene’s Mendelssohn exudes presence. Opening sweetly, plaintively legato and momentum-filled, his is a reading of ravishingly silkily perfect passagework and subtly powerful drama – listen to how his violin cries at its first-movement bar 47 high B (1'01") – and a constantly shifting, gripping feast of micro-colouring: where in a phrase he chooses to lean; his pepperings of portamento joins; his nanosecond switches between poised purity and fiery grind; the sudden halts to the momentum for him to brood or reflect....what an album. Why reinvent the wheel when you can just make a whoppingly covetable new one, hey?"
Gramophone, Charlotte Gardner
"The soloist continues to cultivate his slender-sounding playing, for which he always finds a beautiful tone as well. He also knows how to present the forms and structures in an equally convincing manner. In this way, he achieves balanced interpretations that leave nothing to be desired."
Pizzicato, Uwe Krusch
"In the Mendelssohn, Dalene and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra find a persuasive balance between freedom and form. Nothing feels mannered: phrasing breathes, rubato is discreet, and Dalene’s use of glissandi and portamenti reads as an expressive resource rather than a retro nod. Dalene’s color control is a strong suit; hushed pianissimi retain a central core, and full-throated fortissimi never harden. Technical hurdles are dispatched cleanly.... this is a very enjoyable album....the excellent performances continue to solidify Johan Dalene’s place as one of the most compelling young violinists on the scene today."
The Classic Review, Tal Agam