Being "one of the last giants of music" as Hindemith described Reger, his works are still unnecessarily seldom featured in concert programs today. This release invites to listen to a captivating performance of Reger’s Violin Concerto, a hugely charming big romantic work with broad sentimental gestures. Also the composer himself felt extremely confident about the work as he wrote: "I know this sounds arrogant, but I believe that this violin concerto will follow in the footsteps of those of Beethoven and Brahms."

 

The CD winds up with a virtuosic Chaconne for Solo Violin, Op. 117/4, a work inspired by Reger’s greatest idol Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

Known for his exceptionally wide repertoire and a great sense of musicality Benjamin Schmid is one of the most versatile violinists of today. Described as "one of the most valuable of today’s golden-age-violinists" (The New York Sun), Schmid has performed with orchestras such as Wiener Philharmoniker, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, National Symphony Orchestra Washington, Gulbenkian Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He is also a sought-after jazz violinist. In 2006 the Strad Magazine wrote: "Schmid mesmerises from his very first entry, shaping phrases with a skin-rippling sensitivity to send the spirits soaring. His golden tone, immaculate intonation, faultless technique and total identification with this magical score are truly things of wonder."

 

Artistic director of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra since 2009, Hannu Lintu has rapidly been creating an international career and is a sought-after conductor. From 2013 onward he will assume the post of chief conductor of the Finnish RSO.