Tchaikovsky / Myaskovsky: Violin Concertos

Vadim Repin (Artist), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Nikolay Myaskovsky (Composer), Valery Gergiev (Conductor), Kirov Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Kirov Orchestra
• Conductor: Valery Gergiev
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Nikolay Myaskovsky
• Audio CD (January 14, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00006L77E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,847 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As close to perfection as possible, March 30, 2003

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tchaikovsky / Myaskovsky: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

This recording is highly to be praised. Repin's other recording of the Tchaikovsky with the London Symphony on Erato (coupled with a fine Sibelius) still holds a place in my heart. However, this new recording of the Tchaikovsky with the Kirov and Gergiev blows everything else away. As with other reviewers, I found Vengerov's Berlin recording to be unsurpassed technically and with first rate sound. Well, here we have Repin not only technically in command, but playing with such remarkable understanding and subtlety as well. Repin reminds me much more of Oistrakh than Heifetz. Repin has this dark, full, rich tone along with strength and finesse in the right measures. And, unlike his Erato recording, he has the benefit of better recorded sound. His imaginative touches are a plus too. The Kirov sound wonderfully alive and on their toes here. It is a live recording and it really has that feel to it. The Myaskovsky is equally well done and is a very enjoyable piece of music for those not familiar with it. I do love the Oistrakh recordings of the Tchaikovsky, but this one is certainly at the top among modern digital recordings and will definitely hold its own among the entire catalogue. Highly recommended.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chock full of Russian Goodness!, April 3, 2003

By 

Dr. Christopher Coleman (HONG KONG) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky / Myaskovsky: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

Now in his 20's, Russian violinist Vadim Repin is a real prodigy. Winning the Queen Elizabeth international competition when he was 17, he actually began his recording career much earlier--at age 12. He is blessed with an incredible technique, complemented by a superb command of his tone color that puts him far above most other violinists. Repin can create the darkest, most viola-like sound in the low register, and then soar gracefully in the highest. His command of the bow is excellent-such a variety of articulations and never a scratchy attack. It helps, of course, that he plays a Strativarius; but he is surely a performer worthy of the instrument.

This is already Repin's second recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto-the first was with the London Philharmonic. Here, under the direction of Valery Gergiev, the Kirov Orchestra of St. Petersburg are inspired by Repin's playing and they display true brilliance. The ending of the concerto is truly spectacular.

Coupled with the Tchaikovsky is Myaskovsky's Violin Concerto. Nicolai Myaskovsky is another Russian (this disc is full of them!) who flourished in the Soviet Union, but remains somewhat obscure elsewhere. His mature works, as required by the time and place he lived, are tonally and rhythmically conservative, essentially cast in the late 19th century style. Nonetheless, they are wonderfully crafted pieces, if in no sense innovative, and audiences generally find his music accessible and attractive.

Great performances, lovely music-what more can we ask? I'm glad I don't have to be a curmudgeon all the time, and I give this CD my highest recommendation.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Resurrection of a forgotten masterpiece!, January 21, 2003

By 

Scott68 (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky / Myaskovsky: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

There are several major violin concertos that came from Russia that were composed after the Tchaikovsky that I consider significant. They include Glazunov, Kabalevsky, Prokofiev 1 and 2, Shostakovich 1 and 2, Khachaturian, and the Miakovsky played here. My favorite has to be the Glazunov but I liked the Miakovsky second best, more than Prokofiev 2 or Kabalevsky and that may surprise some people. The rythms are intricate and completely unique showing a tremendous sence of imagination and creativity. Both the Miakovsky and Kabalevsky Concertos contain rythms that I find so appealing, giving the music a freshness and sence of individuality.

The Miakovsky Violin Concerto was written for David Oistrakh but somehow the piece has been overlooked and forgotten for 40 years. The Oistrakh recording is poor but the playing and notes are incredible.

For me, Vadim Repin is the greatest living player for virtuoso repertoire, on his "Tutta Bravura" CD he shows his ability to pull off virtuoso stunts with sincerity and a full singing tone. It is clear that Technique is no effort to this man. I am so grateful that Repin has recorded the Miakovsky, to hear musical colors with a good recording quality is great to hear. Repin produces a phenominal tone with his Guaneri DelGesu violin here.

Fortunately this recording was reissued very recently.

In a recent interview upon winning the Belgian Caecilia award, Mr Repin said the following:

"Valery Gergiev and I have been making music together for over 17 years, but this is the first time our collaboration has been put on record, so to speak. The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, a great and glorious challenge in the violinist's repertoire, seems to take on an extra special quality when it is shaped by Valery Gergiev and his orchestra. We have performed it together many times, and over the years it has grown and developed in such a way that we felt it was high time we finally committed it to disc. I am delighted that we were able to couple it with Myaskovsky's concerto - a neglected and yet major work, which I hope through this recording will have the place it deserves in our musical literature. As a proud holder of Belgian citizenship, I am delighted to have been honoured in my country with a Caecilia Award. "