London Philharmonic Orchestra & Ray Chen: Brahms’ Violin Concerto

Star violinist Ray Chen and the phenomenal London Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms’ famous Violin Concerto and First Symphony

‘The music world has seldom waited with such great anticipation for a composer’s first symphony,’ wrote celebrated music critic Eduard Hanslick after the Viennese premiere of Brahms' First Symphony.  Brahms had worked on it for more than ten years! The label ‘Beethoven’s tenth’, with which his firstborn was christened immediately after its premiere, gave the self-critical Brahms the necessary confidence. Brahms' long friendship with violinist Joseph Joachim provided the basis for his violin concerto. He wrote it not just for Joachim, but also with him. From its extended introduction to its finale, embellished with Hungarian brio, Brahms’ Violin Concerto is one of the most luxurious concertos in the repertoire. A piece of cake for star violinist Ray Chen, accompanied by the phenomenal London Philharmonic Orchestra.