Munich-born violinist Arabella Steinbacher, now in her early 30s and well-established internationally, has coupled two of the best-loved romantic concertos here, performing with the experienced partnership of Charles Dutoit and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR). The results are mixed. She and Dutoit favour a long-breathed but mannered approach to the Mendelssohn, lingering on detail sometimes to the disruption of the musical phrase. Both soloist and orchestra fare much better in the Tchaikovsky. They give an impassioned, expansive account. Tone, technique and virtuosity are always secure. Only the pacing at times seems faulty. The OSR support with characterful if unduly prominent woodwind and brass playing.
