Markus Wolf is First Concertmaster of the Bavarian State Orchestra where he not only plays the first violin, but also the best: a Stradivari from the year 1722, purchased by the Bayern LB. But since the patrons cannot play it themselves, the valuable piece was placed at Markus Wolf’s disposal. Ever since, he has enchanted his audience with its rare sounds, once again turning a precious violin into invaluable art.

Hans Pfitzner’s violin sonata is among the most rarely played works of its genre. On this CD by Markus Wolf and Julian Riem, it comes together with the disproportionately better-known sonata by Richard Strauss, to allow us a glimpse into the world of music in Munich between the end of the 19th century and the end of the period under the emperor.

Pfitzner’s music may surely be regarded as retrospective, whilst the sonata by Richard Strauss was ahead of its time – but the parallels between the two works cannot be missed.

In this new recording, Markus Wolf may be heard for the first time playing the 'Vollrath' Stradivarius.