Beethoven’s only attempt at the genre of violin concerto is without a doubt one of the top classics. It did not start like that however. In fact, it took more than 30 years to be finally discovered. Long after the death of its composer, violinist Joseph Joachim and conductor Felix there-we-are-again Mendelssohn put it on stage in a bold move and wrote history. Since then, it is one of the most performed violin concertos.
The recording was made in the Rudolfinum, a very classic looking concert hall in the centre of Prague. Its Dvořák hall was used in 1896 by the master himself for the first concert of the residential orchestra: the Czech Philharmonic. The place is praised for its excellent acoustics. During the interbellum years, the building was used for the Czechoslovak parliament. From 1946 it is again the residence of the Czech Philharmonic, here on record.