One of the great works of the twentieth century, Bartok's Violin Concerto No. One and Two; has virtually eclipsed his first effort in the genre, written thirty years earlier. However, the youthful work, inspired by his passionate, unrequited love for the young violinist Stefi Geyer and rediscovered long after the composer's death, deserves to be rediscovered. Isabelle Faust's deep connection to Bartok's music inspired her to explore a variety of original...

Well into his middle years, Gianni Castiglione has a pleasant, quiet life in Cremona. A luther - a maker and repairer of violinis - he spends most of his time adoring his grandchildren and playing chamber-quartets with the local priest, the chief of police, and a fellow aging luther, Tomaso Rainaldi. A true romantic, Rainaldi is in thrall to music's myths, particularly the stories about the "Messiah's Sister," a priceless, centuries-old -- and possibly...