Paganini Violin Concerto—No. 1 in D, Op. 6. From 9500069 (11/76). Violin Concerto—No. 3 in E. From 6500175 (12/71). Violin Concerto—No. 4 in D minor. From 9500069 (11/76). Henryk Szeryng (vn) London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Alexander Gibson.

Philips Sequenza (Mid  price) (LP) 6725 029 (two records, nas).

We can judge the quality of Paganini's violin concertos much better these days than of old and this is largely due to performances in the concert hall and, even more, on record by Szeryng and Accardo. We have discovered that there is more to them than the display of pyrotechnics for which Paganini was famous and that he also had an attractive melodic vein. This latter is evident, not only in slow movements, but the outer ones where passages of fiendish difficulty spring from bits of melody, sometimes joyful, at other times touching. So their performance benefits from a player who can produce a lovely tone. Szeryng has this quality and, what is more, he can keep it under the pressure of the most technically demanding passages. He never sounds under any sort of strain, in fact. He also never misses the purely musical aspects of the works, for phrases are always gracefully finished off and musical sense is made of everything.

Accompaniments are played in the same warm spirit and Sir Alexander Gibson responds to every slight touch of rubato the solist feels appropriate. Gibson must be much praised for keeping the LSO so much on its toes in accompaniments that make so little demands on the players.

The recordings still convey the quality of these performances admirably, while the balance is notably good; such individual orchestral detail as there is perfectly clear. Since the Third Concerto is spread over two sides (both around only 17 minutes) that is an extravagant disc but as the reissue is at mid-price I can recommend the album very warmly, especially since it lacks nothing in natural quality.

TH