“Romanticism on the violin had a rebirth last night in Carnegie Hall,” wrote New York Times critic Harold C. Schonberg in 1970, following a recital by American violinist Aaron Rosand (1927-2019).
A decade earlier, in October of 1960, Rosand made his New York Philharmonic debut, performing Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Leonard Bernstein was on the podium, and Barber was in attendance. Bernstein and Rosand had agreed to record the Concerto, but the opportunity ended up going to Isaac Stern. In later years, Rosand blamed politics. He never returned to the work.
Here is a rare recording of Rosand’s performance of Barber’s Concerto with the New York Philharmonic. It is taken from a radio broadcast. At times, Bernstein’s vocalizations are audible.
2 thoughts on “Barber’s Violin Concerto: Aaron Rosand’s 1960 New York Philharmonic Debut”
What a soulful performance! This recording, at least as marked on YouTube, dates from October 1960. To think that Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva had premiered only one month prior.
What a soulful performance! This recording, at least as marked on YouTube, dates from October 1960. To think that Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva had premiered only one month prior.
Excruciatingly beautiful performance. Thanks for posting it!