Mullova: Bartok, Stravinsky – Violin Concertos (APE)

Performer: Viktoria Mullova
Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Esa-Pekka Salonen
Composer: Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Philips
Size: 258 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

1. Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D – I. Toccata
2. Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D – II. Aria I
3. Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D – III. Aria II
4. Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D – IV. Capriccio

5. Bartok Violin Concerto No.2, BB 117 – I. Allegro non troppo
6. Bartok Violin Concerto No.2, BB 117 – II. Andante tranquillo
7. Bartok Violin Concerto No.2, BB 117 – III. Allegro molto

Absolutely Fabulous!

Ever since I heard the recording of the Bartok concerto (with the original ending) by Mark Kaplan on Koch, I have listened to all of the recordings of this ending. I have no reservations at all in saying that I prefer the original ending. All of the conductors (Lawrence Foster, Michael Gielen, Leonard Slatkin and Esa-Pekka Salonen) play it for all its worth-and to me, it’s worth a lot. I can see why Bartok published this ending. It is true, though, that it should say on the CD case that the original ending is used (which is also the case on the Tetzlaff/Gielen recording.)This is my favorite available recording of this version, as the Zuckerman/Slatkin recording is out of print. There is also room on this disc for the revised ending, which Zuckerman/Slatkin also do. All you have to do is program your CD player accordingly.As for the rest of the performance, it is absolutely fabulous. Mullova’s tone never falters, and she is expressive where possible and she is backed to the hilt by Salonen and the LA Phil. The sound is gorgeous, with a very realistic bass drum. Soft playing is beautiful and loud sections are very powerful. As for the Stravinsky, this piece is foolproof, in my opinion. Every recording I have heard of this piece (Perlman/Ozawa, Stern/Stravinsky,Chung/Previn, Gitlis and now, Mullova and Salonen) is very well done. The spirit is certainly there, and Mullova certainly can play her violin well. This cd is recommended with much enthusiasm!!