Classical Editor: Rob Barnett


Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb.uk.net


PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 1 (1917) No. 2 (1935) SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 (1948) No. 2. (1967)  Dmitry Sitkovetsky (violin) LSO/Sir Colin Davis (Prokofiev) rec 1988 BBCSO/Andrew Davis (Shostakovich) Rec 1989 VIRGIN VERITAS Twofers VBD5616332 [48.55] + [67.26] ONLY  £8.99 Bargain of the Month

 


Crotchet




(current cover may vary)

Sitkovetsky's way with Prokofiev emphasises the wild and dangerous enchantress. His mordant tone, especially in the first concerto, brings out the witchery in a world of wretched horror and sultry eroticism - a fairytale for grown-ups. Walton clearly learnt a great from Prokofiev for his own concerto. This performance has much in common with the great but now ancient Szigeti/Beecham recording. No. 2 is not as exotically lyrical as the first concerto. A Bachian pavane - all repose and balanced sweetness dominates the middle movement. The work is full of recollections or pre-echoes of his Romeo and Juliet score. The last movement momentarily loses touch with vitality and the inspiration is stretched tight.

From the joyous beauties of Prokofiev we move to another world in the two Shostakovich concertos. The first concerto is in four movements: an ochre-toned landscape through which the violinist progresses poignantly acidic, running a gamut that takes in a Baba-Yaga scuttle, glorious poster-style bravado, nostalgia (recollections of the saccharine sweetness of the second piano concerto middle movement) and a glaring Russian dance. The second concerto is nostalgic again but a tough and bitter-sweet nut to crack. The climes are colder and the accustomed skip-scurry of the quicker movements has more of the macabre about it and nothing of the fairytale. In my copy there was a strange 'pop' at 00:52 in the third movement.

Recording quality is excellent - rather close-up perhaps in the case of the Prokofiev concertos. The LSO are alert and fanciful. The BBCSO seem somehow cooler; more distant. This is not inappropriate to the music.

A recommended set, and at the exraordinary bargain price  an outstanding bargain despite the scant trilingual notes. There are no similarly coupled/priced sets.

Reviewer

Rob Barnett

Reviewer

Rob Barnett



Reviews carry sales links
but you can also purchase
from:







REVIEWS
Index
Chandos
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
1998

Return to Index