Israeli-born Hagai Shaham here completes his survey of Hubay’s violin concertos, with these immaculate accounts of Nos 1 & 2 (Nos 3 & 4 appear on volume 3 of The Romantic Violin Concerto series [CDA67367]).

Hubay is widely acknowledged as the founder of the ‘Hungarian school’ of violin playing. His list of protégées includes the virtuoso violinist Ilona Fehér who went on to teach Hagai Shaham. The sonorous, round and broad tone that is the main beauty of the Hubay-school is unmistakable in Shaham’s performance.

Accompanying the two violin concertos we have Hubay’s Suite for violin and orchestra, Op 5; originally written for violin and piano before being revised with orchestral parts it adheres to a more traditional baroque format regarding structure, melody and harmony.

If you want oodles of explosive virtuosity, rich melodies and substantial orchestral passages then this disc is for you.