Composer: Alexander Glazunov, Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer: Nicola Benedetti
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Kirill Karabits
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Decca
Catalogue: 4788758
Release: 2016
Size: 1.09 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99
01. 1. Nocturne (Moderato)
02. 2. Scherzo (Allegro)
03. 3. Passacaglia (Andante)
04. 3a Cadenza
05. 4. Burlesque (Allegro con brio – Presto)
Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
06. 1. Moderato
07. 2. Andante
08. 3. Allegro
“Only” forty years separate these two Concertos, one by the master Glazounov written in 1904, and one by his disciple, written in 1947. But within those forty years, the world witnessed the Russian Revolution, Stalin’s Terror and the horrors of WWII, enough change to radically alter the musical landscape in Russia. Where Glazounov is still writing in a post-romantic, incandescent lyricism, both nostalgic and tender, poignant and hard-hitting, Chostakovitch closes himself off in a language stuck somewhere between disheartened sarcasm and the thrill of escape, exuberant in its hopelessness and the gaiety of death… Only the final Burlesque seems to be inspired by the “old” Russia. The Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti (we know, the name is misleading), whose career took off very early and who is never one to shy away from playing both classical and jazz, has delivered a brilliant rendition of both of these very different, yet very complimentary pieces.
Sensational violinist Nicola Benedetti returns with a riveting recording of Shostakovich’s monumental Violin Concerto (No. 1). This new recording follows Benedetti’s chart-topping success with Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy (Homecoming, 2014) and Korngold’s Violin Concerto (Silver Violin, 2012).
Benedetti’s own encounter with Russian music-making began in her childhood, the seriousness and intensity making a powerful impact on the young violinist: “I was thrust into a different world” says Nicola, “a little terrifying, extremely demanding but so loving, so warm”.
Together with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kirill Karabits, the dark, introspective Shostakovich Violin Concerto is brought to life in a compelling performance packed full of energy, powerful torment, and breath-taking passion. The demonic scherzo notches up intensity; the passionate third movement – possibly one of the finest in the canon of violin concertos – has a grand magnificence; and the astonishing Burlesque rounds off this visceral recording.
A work with a tormented history itself – the hostile political environment of Russian state censorship at the time of composition in the 1940’s meant that Shostakovich kept the concerto unpublished until after Stalin’s death – it was first performed in 1955 by David Oistrakh, and immediately highly regarded internationally.
Programmed alongside Shostakovich’s assertive, uncompromising masterpiece, is Glazunov’s bold, colourful Violin Concerto. A late-Romantic work, the Glazunov is notable for its lyricism; Benedetti’s generous, radiant performance is uplifting and finely crafted.