Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63 (1935) [27:02]
Sonata for Two Violins in C major, Op. 56 (1932) [16:29]
Violin Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80 (1938/46) [29:26]
Janine Jansen (violin)
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski
Boris Brovtsyn (violin), Itamar Golan (piano)
rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 21-23 June 2012 (concerto); Teldex
Studio, Berlin, 11-14 June 2012 (sonatas)
DECCA 478 3546 [72:58]
From 1935 the Violin Concerto No. 2 tends to be overshadowed
by its D major predecessor from 1916/17. Certainly a
high quality score Prokofiev’s writing is highly melodic
and more overtly romantic than in the earlier work. The opening
Allegro moderato provides little in the way of virtuosic
display although it contains much challenging writing for the
soloist. Jansen playing her loaned 1727 ‘Barrere’
Stradivarius glides through the technical difficulties and makes
her mark on the emotional content of the writing ensuring tension
and restlessness. In the Andante assai Jansen’s
extended cantilena is generally calm and introspective.
With the soloist totally engaged, the Rondo, Finale
feels upbeat and highly rhythmic. Jansen is a warm and persuasive
soloist throughout complemented by responsive support from Jurowski
and the LPO. For those looking for alternative accounts of the
pair of Prokofiev Violin Concertos I have long admired
the now ‘classic’ recording from soloist Kyung-Wha
Chung and the LPO under André Previn. Recorded in 1975
at the Kingsway Hall, London, Chung plays passionately displaying
a wonderful tone and control with Previn and the LPO highly
sensitive partners on Decca 476 7226 (c/w Stravinsky Violin
Concerto).A more recent recording of the pair of
Prokofiev Violin Concertos is from soloist Arabella Steinbacher
with the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) under Vasily Petrenko.
From 2012 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in this memorable
interpretation Steinbacher’s engaging and stylish approach
is enhanced by alert support on Pentatone Classics (SACD) PTC
5186 395 (c/w Sonata for Solo Violin, Op.115).
The four movement Sonata for Two Violins doesn’t
appear too often on recital programmes although it’s an
accessible work that doesn’t follow the acerbic style
of many of Prokofiev’s works from this period. In the
short opening Andante cantabile Jansen and Brovtsyn ensure
a yearning quality and the virtuosic Allegro is vibrant
and full of anxiety. Marked Commodo (quasi allegretto)
the lyricism of the third movement is heavily sorrowful as if
grieving for a loved one. The conversation between Jansen and
Brovtsyn in the Allegro con brio,Finale is heated
and animated conveying a dark, unwelcoming character. Of the
alternative recordings I have enjoyed the admirably played 2009
Prague account from Veronika Jarůšková and
Eva Karová of the Pavel Haas Quartet on Supraphon SU3957-2
(c/w String Quartet No. 1, Op. 50; String Quartet
No. 2, Op. 92).
One of my favourite chamber works the Violin Sonata No. 1
was composed in 1938/46. This dark and intense four movement
score proves a reasonably popular choice with chamber musicians.
A bleak, dark character imbues the opening Andante assai
and at 5:12 (track 8) the “wind in the graveyard”
effect sends a shiver down the spine. Playing of such vibrancy
in the Allegro brusco from Jansen and Golan imparts a
rebellious and rather sinuous quality. In the Andante
Jansen’s muted violin exudes a surface tenderness but
reveals an undercurrent of foreboding. Vigorously upbeat the
Finale just gushes with an almost incessant torrent.
At point 5:20 (track 11) once again the chilling “wind
in the graveyard” effect takes over.My first
choice account in the F minor Sonata isfrom Shlomo
Mintz and Yefim Bronfman, a true meeting of minds recorded in
1987 at Cologne on Deutsche Grammophon 423 575-2 (c/w Violin
Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a). I also highly revere
the expressive account from Gidon Kremer and Martha Argerich
recorded in 1991 at Brussels on Deutsche Grammophon 431 803-2
(c/wViolin Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a; 5 Melodies
for violin and piano, Op. 35bis).
This fine Prokofiev release is gratifying played. Not including
the Violin Concerto No. 1 has given this Decca release
a distinct disadvantage over the competition. Recorded in 2012
at two venues the engineers have done a splendid job producing
crystal clear and well balanced sound.
Michael Cookson
This fine Prokofiev release is gratifying played.
Masterwork Index: Prokofiev Violin concerto 2
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