Buried Treasure

Violinist Jack Liebeck introduces favourite recordings from his own collection

Headington Violin Concerto

Xue-wei (violin); London Philharmonic Orchestra/jane Glover ASV CDDCA780

I met Christopher Headington when I was about 14; he actually died the year after we met. He gave me a CD of his Violin Concerto, which had just come out. At that age I didn’t really have much judgment on a good or bad piece, I just knew that I really liked it. I came across it again about ten years ago, and it is just the most fantastic concerto. It was written in 1956 and it’s got that 1950s post-war British sound – slightly austere, hopeful but sad.

Jack Liebeck (violin), Sarah-jane Bradley (viola), Gemma Rosefield (cello) Guild GMCD7354

The only recording available of this is actually my one, but I fell in love with it before I recorded it. James has quite a unique soundworld, which is instantly recognisable once you get to know it as him. It’s an amazing piece of music, colourful and with beautiful rhythm. I think it’s breathtaking and should be heard, and James should be much better known than he is.

Corey Cerovsek (violin), Andrew Russo (piano) Black Box BBM1106

I love American music, and that American sound. I first heard this when I was scouting around for repertoire. It’s incredibly virtuosic but really good fun, and if you listen to the last movement, you can just imagine someone happily bounding down Fifth Avenue. It’s full of humour, but it’s incredibly difficult to play. Corey’s recording is amazing; he’s such a great player and it inspired me to learn the piece myself. It’s full of good momentum and swagger.

Jack Liebeck’s recording of Ysaÿe solo sonatas is out now on Orchid Classics.