Violinist Kristóf Baráti and Concerto Budapest Ensemble, conductor András Keller. Ludwig van Beethoven - CD Review, June 4^th, 2026

Ludwig van Beethoven - Concerto in D major, Op. 61

Premiere album, released on May 8^th

This disc, recorded in 2023 and released at the Brilliant Classics label, presents a new approach, full of shine and freshness, of an iconic work from the repertoire dedicated to the violin - the Concerto in D major by Ludwig van Beethoven. Besides this score, the disc also includes the two Romances for violin and orchestra by the same composer.

The soloist is the Hungarian violinist Kristóf Baráti, internationally recognized for his immaculate technique and the expressive style of his performances. He has recently performed with the London and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and the Oslo Philharmonic; he possesses an extensive and stylistically diverse discography, containing classic, romantic and modern creations.

For his latest album, Kristóf Baráti has collaborated with the eminent conductor Andras Keller and the Concerto Budapest Ensemble, one of the most valuable orchestras in Hungary. In the performance of these musicians, you can listen to the well-known Concerto in D major, Op. 61 composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1806 and presented for the first time in Franz Clement's performance - a reputed violinist and conductor of that time, and friend of the German composer. Almost 40 years later, the concert was rediscovered and performed by the renowned Joseph Joachim, who said that it is "the most important concert for violin and orchestra of the German repertoire". And at present, the work has success and benefits from numerous discographic versions, the most recent one being the recording released on May 8^th by Kristóf Baráti.

The soloist accompanied by the Concerto Budapest Ensemble highlights the solemn character and the dynamic contrasts of the first movement - Allegro ma non troppo, the contemplative spirit of the second movement - Larghetto, the force, rhythmic complexity, and sonic suppleness of the final movement - Rondo Allegro.