NYPhil Performs Bartok, Dvorak & Bruch's Violin Concerto #1; Violinist Frank Huang

The program for the New York Philharmonic, led by conductor Pablo Heras-Casada, was Bartok's Dance Suite, Dvorak's Symph #7 and Bruch's Violin Concerto #1 with violinist Frank Huang.  An interesting overlapping of composers all living between (1881-1904) in the Eastern Bloc vicinities.  Max Bruch's beautifully performed concerto belies the misfortune of its composer.  Bruch possessed musical genius a poor brain for business.  Having chosen to sell his composition to a publisher for a fixed price and no provisions for future royalties, Bruch did not reap the financial rewards for his magnificient composition.  At the end of WWI, Bruch was in need of funding and thought to raise money by giving the manuscript of his work to two unscrupulous American sisters to sell on his behalf in the states.  The sinister Sutro sisters were duplicit in their dealings and Bruch never received any payment for his manuscript.  Bruch (b Germany 1838-1920) also had the misfortune of being overshadowed by his contemporary Brahms.  When listening to Bruch's alluring Violin Concerto it is bittersweet to concede he didn't benefit from his delightful music.