On track: Sizzling tribute to Bartok

At 40, Laurent Korcia is not as well-known as he deserves to be, despite being featured, along with Hilary Hahn, in Bruno Monsaingeon's The Art of Violin documentary.

The French violinist has played with top-line orchestras and conductors, is not afraid of contemporary repertoire and even made a fleeting visit to this country in 1999, when he brought out his 1719 Stradivarius for the Louis Vuitton Ball, as part of the America's Cup competition.

Korcia's latest recording is a two-CD introduction to Bartok's violin music, focusing on the first sonata, the second concerto, the solo sonata and the very individual Contrasts, a sort of Magyar-jazz trio written for clarinettist Benny Goodman.

The emphasis is on Bartok's later years when, living in the United States, his music was at its most approachable.

Korcia comes up with some sizzling virtuosity in the first movement of the 1938 Concerto, but there are still passages not so far removed from Korngold's autumnal concerto.

Bartok's slow movement is a rapturous piece of lyricism, also showcasing the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the dynamic Sakari Oramo.

Being a live performance, caught over two concerts in Birmingham, adds all-important atmosphere to the work. Sonic casements are flung open in the slow movement of the 1921 Violin Sonata, in which Korcia soars in 1 minute 20 seconds of glorious melody, before pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet slips in with a chain of Debussian chords. All of which is captured in a fine Naive recording from an undisclosed venue in Marseilles.

Bavouzet and Korcia are joined by clarinettist Michel Portal for Contrasts, the CD's piece de resistance. There's a wink in Ravel's direction when Portal's clarinet dances around Korcia's pizzicato strumming, and the Finale is a positive whirlwind. This is one hip, spirited ensemble.

The Solo Sonata, written for Yehudi Menuhin in 1944, is the Hungarian composer's tribute to Bach. Listening to Korcia's positively possessed performance reminds me of the work he has done in the service of Ysaye's solo violin pieces.

All in all, a welcome introduction to some of the great works of 20th century violin literature, too rarely heard in concert.

* Bartok, Violin Works (Naïve V 4991, through Elite Imports)