Beethoven was first and foremost a pianist, a fact best exemplified by his creative output. Seven Concertos for Piano and Orchestra (five numbered), the Choral Fantasy for piano, chorus and orchestra, seven Piano Trios, a Quintet for piano and winds, a multitude of pieces for solo piano including Bagatelles, sets of Variations and of course thirty-two Piano Sonatas. What he left behind for the violin if you don't take into account his magnificent String Quartets, are ten Violin Sonatas (with piano), two Romances for Violin and Orchestra, a triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano, and only one Violin Concerto, this Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 from 1806. Now is it simply because he wasn't quite in his element when writing for the violin, or didn't know how to set adequate technical challenges for the best violinists of the day.

When compared to most of the other famous violin concertos, this one is arguably one of the least technically demanding on the soloist, but then it is in my opinion, one of the most lyrical. And that's precisely what emerging violinist Daniel Lozakovich strives for in this 'live' recording. Beauty of tone, a crystalline sound even in the highest register, and highly expressive phrasing. Very impressive and confident playing for someone who was only 19 years old when this recording took place. The booklet notes point out: "Lozakovich has been dreaming about recording the Beethoven Violin Concerto since he was eight. He first performed it on stage when he was thirteen, and at fifteen was invited by Valery Gergiev to perform the concerto with him in Moscow. A few short years later, he has reunited with his mentor Gergiev to record the concerto with the Munich Philharmonic for DG."

Daniel Lozakovich is a Swedish violinist who made his concert debut at the age of nine in Moscow with the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. He signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon in 2016, which made him the youngest member of that label's roster of musicians. And for those who care about such details, he plays an 'ex-Baron Rothschild' and a 'Le Reynier' (1727) stradivarius instruments. As an added bonus, the disc concludes with the Adagio from Johann Sebastian Bach's Sonata for Violin Solo No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001.