Violin on Stage

On her solo recorded debut for Deutsche Grammophon, South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim offers a cleverly assembled selection of music with orchestra inspired by the stage (namely opera and ballet). Her faultless technique and singing line animate such favorites as “Thäis: Méditation,” Franz Waxman’s fearsomely challenging—and wonderfully Hollywood—“Carmen Fantasie,” and two pieces from Saint-Saëns: “Samson and Delilah” (the great aria from his opera) and the delicious Introduction and Rondo capriccioso. The violinist also gives us a group of works by Polish composer Henryk Wieniawski, an appropriate move given that this album was recorded in Poland with the fine NFM Wrocław Philharmonic and its music director, Giancarlo Guerrero. An impressive calling card for a star in the making.