Search - Khachaturian, Jarvi, Scottish National Orchestra :: Violin Concerto in D

Over all best amongst available

Mr JB | Karlskrona Sweden | 09/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have two russian folk coloured violin concertos, who both deserves to be better known. None of them were 'new' or 'avant garde' when they came, some of, for example, Bartok's works, written some years earlier, are more modern in many ways. But, and this is really important - music can be beautiful, captivating, fun and interesting even if not very refreshing in style. These pieces have rather much folk tone, which makes them rather playful, combining fire and mixed minor-key's. The Khachaturian is perhaps the most mixed - sometimes it sounds eastern-europe folkish, sometimes the tonal language definately is modern, sometimes the tunes might well have been inspired by Bizet's 'Carmen'. And maybe this is why the work is so great - though having no real 'meaning', as I can find, it's handcrafted by a skilled composer how knew what he was doing. In some parts it gets a little too pompous for my taste, but that's a minor objection. This is entertaining classical music on the right side of the border to banality - it's folk tones are genuine enough and sparkle and fire definately is there. Still, I find Kabalevsky's concerto more intresting, perhaps because he doesn't write a single note that's not necessary - in some way a musical correspondant to Hemingway. The concerto is short, but leaves nothing further to be wished for. The concerto is not heading in any special direction - more than straight to my heart for all it's simplicity, intense playfulness and beauty. Nevertheless it contains parts that requires real virtuosity from the soloist. If you like Kabalevsky's 2nd cello concerto (listen to the BIS recording with Lidstrom/Ashkenazy - it's actually paired with Khachaturian's E-minor), then you'll also like this. Ms Mordkovitch is definately sparkling though secure throughout every bar, and she's very idiomatic in style. Her playing has both integrity and sensuality. In short - extremely good. Nothing else can be said about Neeme Jarvi and the SNO. And the interplay between soloist - conductor is extremely good.Both these pieces have been recorded with their composers on the stand - but those are old versions and this is digitally recorded with superb balance both within the orchestra and between orchestra - soloist. The rivaling version of Kabalevsky's concerto from DG by Shaham misses much in idiomaticy - though his tone is impeccable and superbly thrilling and intense it still sounds 'wrong' to me - it is though, paired with a really good version of Glazunov. Had Shaham's version more idiomaticy, it would be five star, and maybe rival this version - but it doesn't, so for me this is the best version available today of Kabalevsky (and Khachaturian). Recommended."