Track Listings (6) - Disc #1| All Artists: Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich, London Symphony Orchestra Title: Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2 Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label: Teldec Release Date: 10/14/1997 Genre: Classical Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Instruments, Strings Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 706301315026 |
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Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich :: Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2
 | Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2 Genre: Classical
Maxim Vengerov's splendiferous Strad pours reedy-rich tones from its lower register and sings the sweetest high notes this side of Jascha Heifetz, without the least hint of an undesirable sound or mistuned note. Vengerov... more » |
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Amazon.com Maxim Vengerov's splendiferous Strad pours reedy-rich tones from its lower register and sings the sweetest high notes this side of Jascha Heifetz, without the least hint of an undesirable sound or mistuned note. Vengerov's impeccable technique and mature musicianship consistently place him at the top of today's young generation of violinists. Here he plumbs Prokofiev's emotionally charged concerto and finds its unadorned essence--especially memorable in the sensuous slow movement and the exuberant finale. The Shostakovich benefits from a confident, commanding style that leaves us utterly convinced that this lesser-known concerto is a work of far greater substance than we thought. As conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich's knowing hand is everywhere, helping to bring home the penetrating drama of these works by two of his former teachers. While the sound is not as vibrant and balanced as we would like, its center-stage placement of Vengerov and his violin is a feature we can't help but applaud. --David Vernier Similar CDs
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CD ReviewsAnother magnificent recording from the young Vengerov. 12/11/1999 (5 out of 5 stars) "WOW! I must start by saying i own atleast eight recordings of this peice and i must say that i like this one the most out of all the rest.To perform this music well, one must have an uncontrollable passion for it and Vengerov exeeds all standards of uncontrollable passion. Generally my favorite voilinist is David Oistrakh but when i had to compare which recording i liked better, i had to chose the Vengerov recording, conducted by one of OIstrakh's own collegues, Rostropovich himself.What makes this recording stand out is the texture that the passion produces between the orchestra and the violin. It produces a distinktly Russian sound unparalelled by any other recording i know of. I hardely recommend this recording to all music lovers!" Passionate, committed performances Stephen O. Murray | San Francisco, CA USA | 06/04/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "As a mediocore violinst who recognized the best, I grew up enthralled with the Heifetz recording of the Prokofiev 2nd. Vengerov doesn't make me forget Heifetz, but recording technology has improved, and Vengerov plays both concerti with disciplined passon and a technique in Heifetz's league (which is to say Godlike!). I also think the Prokofiev 2nd is one of the three great 20th century violin concerti (with Sibelius and Berg). The Shostakovich 2nd has its moments, but is inferior to the Shostakovich 1st (and even that's an uneven work). The pairing is interesting, but even the commitment of Vengerov and Rostropovich to making a case for the Shostakovich does not fully succeed in my view." A lyrical, un-Russian approach Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 10/06/2005 (5 out of 5 stars) "Anyone familiar with the playing styles of Oistrakh, Kogan, and more recent emigrees like Rapin, Spivakov, and Rachlin will instantly hear that Vengerov is not giving a typical Russian reading on this CD. His playing is not aggressive, he doesn't aim for a fat tone in every bar, and he exchanges virtuosic extroversion for inward, lyrical playing as often as not. The Shostakovich and Prokofiev concerti are usually turned into showpieces, whereas on this CD they become personal expressions.
That's really my only comment. The other reviewers have already praised Vengerov's playing. He is in a league ahead of Rostropovich, who is an effective but not inspired conductor. Together, they tame the biting contrasts often brought out in the first movement of the Prokofiev Second, and although Rostropovich can be a bit slack at times--no worse than Previn in the Prokofiev works, however--Vengerov triumphs in every respect. (If only the last movement of the Prokofiev wasn't such a slow poke.) My remarks apply mostly to the popular Prokofiev Second; the Shostakovich Second has largely fallen out of the repertoire, being a bit too austere, aggressive, and melodically indifferent to capture audience approval, in the West, at least. " |
