Glazunov, Sibelius & Dvořák: Violin Works Efi Christodoulou

• Alexander Glazunov (1865 - 1936): Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82:
• 1I. Moderato04:11
• 2II. Andante10:18
• 3III. Allegro05:51
• Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957): Six Humoresques for Violin & Orchestra:
• 4Humoresque No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 87, No. 103:37
• 5Humoresque No. 2 in D Major, Op. 87, No. 202:27
• 6Humoresque No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 89a04:21
• 7Humoresque No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 89b04:03
• 8Humoresque No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 89c03:06
• 9Humoresque No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 89d03:03
• Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904): Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53:
• 10I. Allegro ma non troppo10:56
• 11II. Adagio ma non troppo10:56
• 12III. Finale: Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo10:00
• Total Runtime01:12:49

Info for Glazunov, Sibelius & Dvořák: Violin Works

The Glazunov and Dvorak Violin Concertos are often recorded together as a pair. They both derive their inspiration from Bohemia's woods and fields whilst still remaining close to Brahmsian Viennese traditions. Adding to these, Sibelius's delightful Six Humoresques makes this a hugely enjoyable combination on album.

This recording features Greek-born award-winning violinist Efi Christodoulou with John Carewe and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in terrific form. Efi became leader of the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra following graduation from the Guildhall School of Music as pupil of Yfrah Neaman and Eugene Sarbu. Engagements frequently bring her to the United States and the UK, where she recently gave two acclaimed World Première perfomances of the Violin Concertos by Matthew Taylor and Robert Still.

Glazunov's Violin Concerto is one of his most popular works. He dedicated it to violinist Leopold Auer who gave its first performance in 1905. It was premiered in London by Auer's 14-year-old pupil Mischa Elman a year later, under Henry Wood. Lyrical and technically brilliant, it has an original, albeit unusual structure in that the slow second movement is seamlessly inserted into the middle of the first movement, ending with Glazunov's Cadenza which demands exceptional virtuosity.

Dvorak dedicated his Violin Concerto to the great virtuoso Joseph Joachim. The Concerto is one of the most abundantly melodic and loveable works in Dvorak's entire output. Its lyricism is intensified by an increasingly rhapsodic solo part in the second movement and the rondo finale, featuring a dance of characteristic cross-rhythms is a sheer celebration of Czech folk music.

Efi Christodoulou, violin
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
John Carewe, conductor

Efi Christodoulou
Greek-born violinist Efi Christodoulou has been reviewed by The Strad as 'a powerful violinist, demonstrating a high level of technical achievement' (Wigmore Hall).

Efi Christodoulou studied at the Athens National Conservatory, graduating with honours & 1st prize. She was selected for 5 years to play in the European Union Youth Orchestra's European Tours, which led her to a scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music in London. She studied with Detlef Hahn, then with Yfrah Neaman and later with Eugene Sarbu. She has participated in masterlasses throughout Europe with Ruggiero Ricci, Aaron Rosand, Sylvia Rosenberg, Eric Friedman, Vladimir Spivakov, Mark Lubotsky, Hermann Krebbers and Roman Totenberg. She has previously been awarded the British Graduates Society / British Council / Vakarelis Fellowship, the Greek State Foundation Award, the Ministry of Culture Scholarship, as well as awards by the Leventis and the Hellenic Foundation, the S. Niarchos and Mundo en Armonia. She was also awarded the Sir Jack and Lady Lyons Performance Scholarship and 'Master of Arts in Performance' from City University, London.

Efi has performed extensively in her native Greece and abroad, has been featured on the BBC World Service, ERT Radio-Television, has collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra (section leaders' scheme) and has broadcast for BBC Radio 2 at the Semi-finals of BBC Young Musician of the Year. She was the 2nd prize winner at the Anglo-­Czech competition for her performances of works by Josef Suk. She was also a finalist at the Michelangelo Abbado International Violin Competition (Milan).

Efi gave the Scottish premiere of the William Schuman concerto in Edinburgh (Fringe Festival) and has appeared at the Athens Megaron, St. John's, Smith Square, Brussels’ European Parliament, Salle Cortot, Paris, and as a soloist with the Athens Symphony Orchestra, the Arcademia of Stuttgart, the Oxford Philharmonic, the Bournemouth Symphony, the State Academic Orchestra of the Capella St. Petersburg and others. Efi's extensive recital activity demonstrates a particular interest in contemporary compositions, having given premieres of works by David Matthews, Malcolm Arnold and the UK Premiere of the Concerto-Fantasia by Theodore Antoniou. Her 2nd Wigmore Hall recital dedicated to American music featured the UK Premiere of works by Bernstein and Ned Rorem.

Efi was concertmaster at the Greek National Opera's Educational Programmes, while at present is leader of the City of Athens Symphony. She gratefully acknowledges the kind donation of a Pierre Silvestre violin (Lyon 1848) by Matti & Nicholas Egon.

In 2013 Efi presented two World Premiere performances, of the Violin Concertos by Matthew Taylor in St. Petersburg and by Robert Still in London, which demonstrated ‘the highest standard of virtuosity with the use of a quite dazzling technique’ (Musical Opinion).

In 2011 Guild Records released her first CD which includes works by Debussy, Elgar and the Premiere of Sibelius’s Six Humoresques arranged by Karl Ekman, to general acclaim: ‘outstanding, intelligent and passionate… in this interesting and enterprising programme' (Classical Source, Sunday Times).

Somm Recordings recently issued Efi's second CD of the Dvorak, Glazunov Concertos and Sibelius' Six Humoresques with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, under John Carewe. It was described by Sunday Times as 'an attractive disc' with 'a grand Dvorak Concerto' and by Gramophone as ‘full of natural exuberance'.

Her current engagements embrace a UK series of five concerts of the Ferruccio Busoni Violin Concerto, in celebration of Busoni’s 150th anniversary in 2016, from which her first performance was described as ‘rock solid, demonstrating intricate, finger tripping virtuosity throughout’ (Musical Opinion).

Booklet for Glazunov, Sibelius & Dvořák: Violin Works