Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Violin Concertos No. 1, Op. 99 & No. 2, Op. 129

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD won a Gramophone Award when it was first released - and it's not hard to see why. The sound engineering is absolutely incredible as well, and I'm sure that played a part in it. This is probably the best pairing of the two Shostakovitch violin concertos out there. Mordovitch is clearly very much at home with both of these melodically dark and musically very different compositions. Jarvi got exactly the kind of sound needed from the orchestra, to match Mordkovitch's gigantic tone. The better-known first concerto has many pleasing moments, but Mordkovitch's playing of the spacious third movement cadenza is probably what got the disc the Grammy. Never before, and probably never again, will you hear the bridge between the third and fourth movements tossed off with such panache and technical perfection. The prickly second concerto is a relatively new addition to the repertoire (premiered only 40 years ago). While the first concerto has a number of fine recordings (Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg's is quite spectacular as well), you'd be hard-pressed to find one better than this of the second. Highly recommended.

Neeme Jarvi and (Royal) Scottish National Orchetra made number of great recordings. Of course, there are exaples of just average, lukewarm recordings, not worth of owning - for exaple whole Richard Strauss's cycle. But this not the case. Performances of Shostakovich's violin concertos are among the best recordings they've made together, and what's most important, Lydia Mordkovich shows the same perfection here. Very recommended.

Lydia Mordkovitch's performance -- in particular of the passacaglia in the First Violin Concerto -- is one of the most remarkable in all classical music recorded on disc. It is a complete fusion of technical virtuosity, musical integrity, and passionate spirituality. As others have noted, the superb sound quality of this recording lets you experience this work in all its vividness and depth.

The violin seems to have been a favorite among many composers. Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Berg, Stravinsky, Sibelius, and many others have written either concertos or other compositions in which this particular instrument is the primary focus. Even though I haven't heard all of them, I'm pretty sure all of them are fantastic pieces. Dimitri Shostakovich's violin concertos are also worthy of praise. This is the first time I've ever heard these two compositions, and it will won't be the final time. These are such powerful violin works. The first, which was composed in 1948, contains four movements (Nocturne, Scherzo, Passacaglia, and Burlesque) and has some touches of Stravinsky in it. The second, composed in 1967, is a clear contrast to the colorful atmosphere of the first. This is darker and moodier than the first, and it features a somewhat percussive third movement that might sound a bit inappropriate, but it works really well here. Now some critics have panned Shostakovich because he repeatedly borrows from numerous composers. While it is true that his music may lack some originality, I can't help but admire it. The violin concertos, especially, are two of his finest works. Neeme Jarvi does a very fine job with the two concertos: no exaggerations whatsoever. The Scottish National Orchestra is surprisingly superb, while the violinist Lydia Mordrovitch does wonders with both works. Sound Quality from Chandos is, as usual, as good as it gets.

Now what shall I say of this CD?
The quality of recording, the quality of orchestration by Neeme Jarvi and ofcourse the absolutely superb violin talent of Lydia Mordkovitch have all synchronized marvelously well! Just perfect in all respects!!