Search - Jean Sibelius, Christian Sinding, Bjarte Engeset :: Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Sinding: Violin Concerto No. 1

Pallid Sibelius, Unmemorable Sinding Concerti

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 10/09/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although Henning Kraggerud, a young Norwegian violinist, is clearly a marvelous musician and a nifty technician as well, this recording of the much-recorded Sibelius Violin Concerto, in spite of a very nicely judged opening, remains rather undercharacterized, even pallid. The second movement is done best, and strangely enough it seems more energized than the quicker outer movements. The third movement, which ought to sizzle, simply doesn't. The soloist, by the way, is playing the Guarneri violin and Pierre Simon bow owned and played by Ole Bull, his great 19th-century Norwegian predecessor.



The Sinding Violin Concerto, which I'd never heard before, is fairly middle-of-the-road late German romantic in style and although all the right moves are there, it is let down by its undistinguished melodies. The first theme of the first movement is memorable, but it's downhill after that. One keeps thinking the piece is building to one of those glorious tunes we associated with, say, Bruch or Brahms, and then it never happens. This is an example of a composer with more craft than inspiration.



Included to fill out playing time on this CD are two short violin and orchestra pieces, one by each composer--Sibelius's lovely 7-minute 'Serenade in G Minor, Op. 69b,'(the second of his two Serenades) and Sinding's never-before-recorded 'Romance in D Major, Op. 100,' which, for me, is the most memorable Sinding on the program. It reminds me a bit of Dvorák, strangely enough. The Bournemouth Symphony, that yeoman of recording English orchestras, plays well but is slightly recessed in sound. The conductor, Bjarte Engeset, is competent but not outstanding on this disc; it sounds as if he is accommodating his soloist rather too much.



The bottom-line: Not a first pick for the Sibelius. Interesting for those who want to explore the music of Sinding further. Nice contribution by a young (early thirties) and emerging violinist, Henning Kraggerud.



TT=71:08



Scott Morrison

"

I'm glad I finally took the risk

Erik Homenick | San Diego, California | 05/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard mixed reviews of this disc, some saying the music herein is good, others have asserted that it's not so good. I've hesitated for a while in picking this up due to the less-than-favorable reviews, but one day I decided to make the plunge and see for my self. Well worth the risk, I'd say!



This is actually an outstanding reading of the beloved Sibelius VIOLIN CONCERTO. The soloist Kraggergud plays with refinement yet loads of passion while the BSO under Engeset performs with similar flair.



My only quibbles are that the quiet parts are quiet while the loud parts are rather loud. You might have to turn the sound up on your player more than you normally do to hear the quieter passages, but the sound is otherwise excellent. (Kudos to the BSO's brass!)



Also, Kraggerud is a little bit of a "breather" and you you can hear his inhales a little too clearly in parts, especially the first movement.



A few minor points aside, this Sibelius concerto is hauntingly lyrical and tender in the first and second movements while the third explodes with fiery power. The third movement is played at what is, I'd think, a faster than normal tempo which literally had me on the edge of my seat. Even as the music built to a breathtaking climax, neither the soloist nor the orchesrta lost their sense of refinement. I really was pleasantly surprised.



The Sinding concerto sounds somewhat juvenile when listened to right after the Sibelius, but it is not without its merits. This is pleasant, well-written late Romantic music that sparkles with charm. Though it lacks the drama and depth of its Finnish counterpart, it's over-all lightness makes it well worth the occaisional visit.



The album also includes Sinding miniatures, the SERENADE IN G MINOR as well as the ROMANCE IN D MAJOR. Again, both are well-written pieces for violin and orchestra in a late Romantic vein and make attractive bonuses.



This is fabulous music making from beginning to end. Worth Naxos's small price, without a doubt."

The best Sibelius Violin concerto from decades

Gianluca La Villa | FERRARA, FE Italy | 03/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At last a Sibelius concerto performance parting from the virtuoso or fastly fluent Heifetz's style, or the sforzandos of the various Russian school violinists!

Kraggerud performs the Sibelius Violin Concerto, beautifully accompanied by the orchestra, with the poetical phrasing that is needed.Also the last movement is swiftly,exactly focused, and not the accustomed "Polonaise for polar bears".

The great violinist Riccardo Brengola, recently disappeared, still remembered to me in 2001 the Ferenc de Vecsey (dedicatee of the score) Sibelius Violin concerto performance in Rome, at Augusteo, in the year 1933, with these words:"very great violinist, very beautiful sound, phantastic technique". I think that Kraggerud polished and fluent style, not "showing" the virtuosity of the score, is one of the best ever heard in recent decades and by far more interesting that the Kavakos, Stern and the like."