Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Kent Nagano :: Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1; Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2

Best Shostakovich ever

A Classical Fan | New York, NY USA | 01/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vadim Repin's Shostakovich was such a shock to me because it surpasses Oistrakh's Shostakovich, which had been my all-time favorite. Repin has an amazing tension and concentration in his Shostakovich. His playing is so intense and his reading has an inner depth and intelligence. His fiery cadenza is simply breath-taking. This Shostakovich easily outguns other great rivals such as Vengerov and Midori. On the contrary, His Prokofiev is relatively modest performance, which lacks in tension and depth. I definitely choose Oistrakh for this one.After all, it's worth buying this CD just to listen to Shostakovich."

A huge vision of a huge piece

Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 07/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording would be worth it, to me, for just the Shostakovich, which is probably my favorite violin concerto. Its four sharply contrasting sections cover a wide emotional terrain, from sorrow to sarcasm, from despair to defiance, and much in between.



Starting with David Oistrakh, many violinists have attempted this piece, which definitely shows off the capabilities of a virtuoso player. I love Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg's fire, and the young Hilary Hahn's cool approach (both excellent -- don't hesitate), but Repin is marvelous in his confidence, vaulting through the treacherous score with absolute, stunning authority. Last year I finally heard him perform this live, at Carnegie Hall, and I must admit his enormous tone and command of this work were mightily impressive. This CD displays these qualities as well: he is as poetic as one could want in the mournful slow movements, and crashingly brilliant in the faster sections.



The Prokofiev is marvelous, too, and done with perhaps more intimacy but equal glow, and Repin's luscious tone. Kent Nagano and the Halle Orchestra sound terrific in both pieces, and Erato's warm sound suits the music perfectly."

Fierce Shostakovich and a lyrical Prokofiev

villegem | 08/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Vadim Repin is an impressive violin player, and here he allows his artistry to shine. He plays with great fire and melancholy on the Shostakovich, leaving an excellent impression. The Prokofiev is less convincing. There is a very plain sense of lyricism to it with which Repin seems uncomfortable. It is still a good performance however."