Yesterday the Deutsche Phono-Akademie announced violinist Linus Roth as the winner of the ECHO Klassik 2017 in the category “Konzerteinspielung 19. Jahrhundert” ("Concerto recording 19th century"). He receives the award for his album of the Violin Concertos by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky with the London Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Thomas Sanderling, released on Challenge Classics. This years´ glamorous ECHO Klassik Gala evening will take place on October 29th in the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.

This album is one of many Linus Roth has recorded for Challenge Classics so far. The Violin Sonatas by Brahms and Schumann, both with pianist José Gallardo, were followed by several CDs dedicated to a beloved composer of his: Mieczysław Weinberg! The Complete Sonatas and Works was the first one, also with José Gallardo. It was followed by the Violin Concertos of Britten and Weinberg ( with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under Mihkel Kütson), and the CD Wartime Consolations (with the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra under Ruben Gazarian). Both CDs were named "Editor´s Choice" by the Gramophone Magazine. The recording of the exceptional Solo Sonata album made Linus Roth the first violinist to have recorded the complete violin repertoire by Weinberg.

Referring to his dedication of this composer, Linus Roth was once again drawn to the music of Shostakovich, who was Weinberg´s greatest supporter and closest friend. Recording Shostakovich´s 2. Violin Concerto seemed to make the perfect coupling with the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, a work he has now performed for more than 20 years on the international concert scene. This is the World Premiere recording of its Original version and was already called “artistically refined and eminent”, receiving the Pizzicato Magazin´s Supersonic Award as well.

Linus Roth says: “Thank you Deutsche Phono-akademie for presenting me once again this award, after having received the ECHO Klassik as ‘Best Newcomer’. I have put my whole heart in this recording which has been made possible and came to life by Challenge Records, my great recording team (MotorMusic) and of course the exquisite London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Sanderling."