The musical legacy of the most interesting violinist of the 20th century in a complete overview for the first time. Including Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto, as its debut in Britain was organized and performed by Max Rostal. Essentials and rarities, some on CD for the first time.

His versatility made Max Rostal (1905-1991) arguably the most interesting violinist of his generation: open-minded towards contemporary works, he helped many young composers gain their place in concert programs. As a teacher – first in Berlin, then in London, Bern, and Cologne – he influenced several generations of young violinists, and as an author (“Thoughts on their interpretations”) he gave a profound insight into his experiences as an artist.

Max Rostal was considered a prodigy, already performing in public at the age of six. He studied in Vienna with Arnold Rosé, and in Berlin with Carl Flesch. In 1927 he became Concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Oslo, from 1928 on he assisted Carl Flesch at the Berlin Music Academy, where he took on his own professorship two years later. Rostal emigrated to London at the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship and worked there as an educator from 1944 to 1958 in addition to his concert career. He continued teaching in the post-war years in Bern and Cologne (until 1982).

Together with Heinz Schröter and Gaspar Cassadó, he founded a soon to be famous chamber music ensemble, which was completed by Siegfried Palm on cello after Cassadó’s death. Max Rostal’s musical legacy is represented on this 10-CD collection for the first time in a complete overview. One could say that it revolves around Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto, as its debut in Britain was organized and performed by Max Rostal.