FRANTISEK BENDA (1709-1786): Violin Concertos in C (Lee H-1), in B Flat (Lee II-18), in D (Lee II-2) and in A Minor (Lee II-16).

Description: Only 17 of Benda's 24 violin concertos survive and, until now, only one of them has been currently available on CD. Three of these four date from 1739-40, flowing naturally and lyrical with strong emphasis on singing melodies, and the A Minor from a date late enough to partake of the Empfindsamkeit style, its slow movement fraught with pauses, sighs, repetition and dynamic contrasts. Ivan Zenaty (violin), Prague Philharmonia.