Search - Barber, Shostakovich, Salerno-Sonnenberg :: Violin Concerto / Violin Concerto 1

Excellent Performance of Both Concertos

Classicalfan | Reston, VA USA | 12/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is wonderful. Salerno-Sonnenberg is superb in both concertos. In the Shostakovich concerto, she plays the Scherzo, Passacaglia, and Burleque movements with fiery passionate intensity and a superlative inspirational technique. On the first movement, the Nocturne, she captures every nuance of its moody, haunting, somber beauty.



Maxim Shostakovich is outstanding in his conducting of the London Symphony Orchestra in both concertos. Although I have not yet heard Isaac Stern's recording of the Barber Concerto, or any of the other numerous recordings of this work by other violinists with other conductors, I have heard this one, listened to it several times, and love performance of the whole concerto: the first movement, the second, and the third. In fact, at this very moment, as I write this review, I am listening to and immensely enjoying the second, Andante movement. Not only are Sonnenberg-Solerno and the orchestra wonderful in this movement, but so is the oboist, Kieron Moore. This movement resonates with a deeply touching, mournful, lyrical beauty.



On the Shostakovich concerto, the son does full justice to his father's composition, accompanying Salerno-Sonnenberg with perfect control and mastery of the orchestra, bringing out the drama, intensity, and passion of the orchestral sections of this concerto. Listen to the final, Burlesque movement of the Shostakovich concerto, and the back-and-forth lightning quick dialogue between the violinist and the orchestra - both the soloist and the orchestra sound as if they're on fire - it's a wonderful wild ride! What an exhilirating finale!



The balance of the sound between the orchestra and soloist is ideal and the differentiation and clarity of the various sections of the orchestra is also of exceptional quality. All of the orchestral sections are very clear: the winds, the strings, and the horns. Everything is beautifully performed and conducted. There is a real immediacy in the quality of the sound of the orchestra. The sound quality on this CD could not be better. Both the soloist and the orchestra are marvelously crystal clear.



This is a CD that I have listened to several times with great pleasure since buying it. The CD insert has a well-written and informative essay about these two concertos. Highly and enthusiastically recommended."

A beautiful madness

John Melcher IV | Houston, tx | 01/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw her perform the shostakovich live in Houston, and this CD's performance is near to live in energy. like a beautiful madness. (the barber is not too shabby either)."