"She reduces her quiet playing to the merest whisper, a glow-worm in the undergrowth, and her sense of colour (witness how she manipulates vibrato) is extremely vivid. But she can be boldly assertive too ... She never baulks at the prospect of using glissando as a folksy expressive device (Bartók's own directive) and tension is maintained throughout all three movements ... A recommendation? Definitely ... After all, there should always be room on your shelves for another fine Bartók Second Concerto"

"Ms. Skride delivers the main theme with great attention to its dynamics, and she phrases lyrical moments that come later with great sensitivity. Faster music has plenty of energy here and Skride consistently points up much significant detail. Speaking of detail, it is heard aplenty throughout the performance from the spirited WDR Sinfonieorchester under the very capable leadership of Norwegian conductor Eivind Aadland. Overall, this is an excellent Bartók Second"

"CDs des Monats: Packend, konstrastreich und mit einem Gespür für das spezielle Idiom der Musik lässt Baiba Skride Bartóks zweites Violinkonzert zum Erlebnis werden ... Baiba Skride beherrscht ihren Part souverän, sie kann nach Belieben frei gestalten, anscheinend ohne an technische Grenzen zu stossen ... Die Kopplung mit den beiden Violin-Rhapsodien ist reizvoll"

"Bartók's Second Violin Concerto is paired with two rhapsodies here, performed with real bite. Skride's characterful playing is matched by the orchestra's sturdy sound"