Roberto Gerhard: Symphony No. 1 / Violin Concerto - BBC Symphony Orchestra / Matthias Bamert / Olivier Charlier, Violin

Gerhard's Violin Concerto is without a doubt one of the 20th-century masterpieces for the instrument, and it's rather amazing that it's had to wait this long for a premier recording--it's nearly half a century old already! Gerhard's music has been described as sort of like a Spanish Schoenberg (who was his friend and teacher), but that's only half the story. While the dreaded term "atonal" does indeed apply to his music, much of it is so beautiful as sheer sound that even casual listeners will find a lot to enjoy the first time around. This Violin Concerto, for example, thrives on good, sturdy tunes, and if you enjoy Schoenberg, then both of these superbly performed and recorded works have much to offer. --David Hurwitz