Search - Eduard Tubin, Neeme Järvi, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra :: Eduard Tubin: Prélude solennel; Violin Concerto No. 1; Suite on Estonian Dances

Strangely Underrated Lyricism

hughsp | 11/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason, this beautiful and moving concerto is rather summarily dismissed in many of the guides to classical CD's. It shows the full flowering of Tubin's own distinctive and moving lyrical gift, more akin to his 4th Symphony than to many of his other works. It is a heartwarming piece which will grow on you. The live performance shows some tentativeness at the start, but warms to a superb account of the slow movement. The other works are fine examples of their kind - a characteristic mixture of sophistication and earthiness in the Estonian Dances and a better than average piece of pomp and circumstance in the Prelude solennel."

Tubin-Prelude solennel, Violin Concerto No.1, Suite on Eston

Robert S. Gelfand | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 01/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until recently, the music of Eduard Tubin has been a secret outside of Estonia, his country of origin and Sweden, to which he fled in 1944. Fortunately his work has been championned by the esteemed Estonian

conductor Neeme Jarvi on the BIS label. Whereas, this recording does not contain any of the symphonies,

it should not be overlooked. Although the charming Concerto for Violin is the major piece on this recording,

it is the stirring Prelude solennel which will leave you humming. It might even cause you to buy some of his

other works"

Tubin's dramatic Violin Concerto No. 1

Russ | Richmond, VA | 07/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features some of the compositions for violin and orchestra written by the Estonian composer Eduard Tubin (1905-1982).



The Suite on Estonian Dances for violin and orchestra (1974) features four charming dance movements, but this certainly can not be considered a major work. Likewise, the Prelude solennel is a miscellaneous orchestral work, but is very much in the Tubin style, with stirring themes and leaping brass fanfares followed by one or more triplet figures.



Compared to these pieces, the Violin Concerto No. 1 (he wrote two) from 1942 is a far more substantial work. The dramatic first movement contains a martial orchestral theme (reminds me a little bit of the Estonian Sinfonietta), which is contrasted against an expressive part for the violin soloist. This is a stormy movement, concluding with a series of powerful chords. The second movement is gentle and lyrical. The third movement is dance-like. In this movement, the competition between the soloist and orchestra gradually builds until the work is brought to a close by a series violin runs and one final brass fanfare in Tubin-like fashion



I really enjoy the music of Tubin, especially his powerful symphonies, so I am going to be extra critical of this recording. The live recording dating from 1984 sounds a little fuzzy to me, but the overall quality is acceptable. Also, I am annoyed by the fact that BIS choose to include the applause at the end of the suite and concerto. The violin concerto is a five star piece, but the less than stellar sounds quality, the uneven coupling, and the less than generously filled CD, push my rating somewhere between three and four stars. But since I am a Tubinite, and the playing is quite fine, I am going to round up in this case. Although, I don't think the Sibelius concerto has reason to worry about losing its position of supreme authority, the Tubin concerto should be better known.



Overall, this CD is recommended for Tubin fans whom have completed their survey of the symphonies, or lovers of Northern violin concertos. If you are new to Tubin, check out his symphonies first.



55:07"