Honegger - Bartok - Moussorgski, Orchestre National de la RTF, Concert du 23/02/1956, Rafaël Kubelik , Arthur Grumiaux

Step back in time to a historic concert performance with the Orchestre National de la RTF, conducted by the renowned Rafaël Kubelik, featuring the exceptional violinist Arthur Grumiaux. This album, recorded on February 23, 1956, and released on February 1, 2017, by Ina, musique(s), offers a captivating journey through the works of three iconic composers: Arthur Honegger, Béla Bartók, and Modest Mussorgsky.

The concert opens with Honegger's Symphony No. 2 for Strings and Trumpets, a piece that showcases the orchestra's mastery of both delicate string passages and triumphant brass fanfares. The symphony's three movements are performed with precision and passion, highlighting the conductor's interpretive skills and the orchestra's technical prowess.

Following Honegger's symphony, the program transitions to Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz. 112. Grumiaux's virtuosic playing brings out the complexity and beauty of this challenging work, with each movement—Allegro non troppo, Andante tranquillo, and Allegro molto—revealing the depth of his musicality and the orchestra's supportive accompaniment.

The concert concludes with Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," a suite that takes the audience on a vivid tour of an imaginary art gallery. The Orchestre National de la RTF brings each tableau to life, from the playful "Ballet of the Chicks in Their Shells" to the majestic "Great Gate of Kiev," demonstrating their versatility and expressive range.

This album is a testament to the enduring power of these compositions and the exceptional artistry of the Orchestre National de la RTF, Rafaël Kubelik, and Arthur Grumiaux. It's a rare opportunity to experience a moment of musical history, captured in stunning detail and presented for modern audiences to enjoy.