Playing on Fritz Kreisler’s own ‘Bergonzi’ violin (from c.1740), the brilliant young violinist Henning Kraggerud presents a programme of Kreisler’s compositions for violin.

Filmed in the intimate surroundings of Oslo’s historic ‘Old Lodge’, this is a world premiere recording of many of these arrangements for violin and orchestra. Kraggerud introduces the works himself, and leads the Oslo Camerata in a sparkling, thrilling concert.

Norwegian Henning Kraggerud, who began playing the violin at the age of seven, later studied with Camilla Wicks and Emanuel Hurwitz, thus tapping into American and mid-European traditions of playing. He has, however, always maintained strong connections with his native land. A recipient of the prestigious Grieg Prize, he appears frequently at Norway’s major festivals playing both violin and viola.

Kraggerud, who is greatly inspired by Ysaÿe’s compositions, hailing him as possibly the greatest violinist-composer, is also active as a composer himself (producing several cadenzas as well as original works) and is a keen exponent of new music. Directing and conducting activities have seen him work with the Zürich Chamber Orchestra and at the City of London Festival with the Britten Sinfonia. He is currently professor at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo.