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89842 - Available on CD

Magnificent music for himself; a masterpiece for a friend

In an age unafraid of beauty, youth and genius, Felix Mendelssohn was the teenage pop-star of his day. His spectacular piano concertos showed off his brilliance as a performer as much as a composer. But it is his warm and vibrant Violin Concerto -- written for a virtuoso friend -- that has won the hearts of listeners ever since.

On this recording, pianist Rudolf Serkin performs the Concerto No.1 in G minor for Piano & Orchestra, Op.25 and Concerto No.2 in D minor for Piano & Orchestra, Op.40 with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra; and Isaac Stern is featured in the Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in E minor, Op.64, performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy.

Essential Classics is the perfect starting point for any classical collection. Truly the finest recordings of the world's most beautiful music, Essential Classics offers all music fans the opportunity to enjoy classical music at an affordable price.

Essential Classics showcases premier performances. Each release features sterling sound quality, comprehensive liner notes, and a detailed description of the performance on the back of the CD, providing an easy-to-grasp explanation of the significance of those particular works.