JS BACH Violin Concertos (Lozakovich)

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre:

Orchestral

Label: Deutsche Grammophon

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 64

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 479 9372GH

479 9372GH. JS BACH Violin Concertos (Lozakovich)

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto for Violin and Strings Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Bavarian Radio Symphony Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Lozakovich, Electric violin
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Radoslaw Szulc, Conductor
(3) Sonatas and 3 Partitas, Movement: Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Daniel Lozakovich, Violin
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
In many respects this is a quite exceptional programme. I love the way Daniel Lozakovich marks every little harmonic twist and turn in the first movement of the E major Concerto, BWV1042 (ie from 2'12"), either with tiny changes of pace or modified tone colouring, and also his fragile vibrancy in the central Adagio. The finale has something of Heifetz’s raw energy but with more varied articulation, whereas the finale of the A minor, BWV1041, has the benefit of strongly arpeggiated playing, making for a maximum of contrast with the Andante, for example the deathly quiet entry at 4'21" or Lozakovich’s rapt handling of the coda. Top rating among rival versions goes, in my view, to Frank Peter Zimmermann, whose conversational rapport with the Berlin Baroque Soloists is especially noteworthy in the outer movements (the ascetic principles of period performance are somewhat closer to hand) and who in the A minor produces a slimmer, less vibrant tone, his approach more stylised than that of Lozakovich but just as sensitively inflected. You could say that in terms of Baroque style, Lozakovich ‘takes you back’ whereas Zimmermann more observes the current status quo. I took to both when I first heard them and will happily add them to my own collection.

There is however a slight problem with Lozakovich’s recording which will worry some readers more than others (it didn’t worry me in the least), namely his very audible breathing – at its most conspicuous in the slow movement of the E major and just before the half-minute mark into the Second Partita’s Sarabande. I mention this only because if I don’t, someone is bound to complain; but if you accept Glenn Gould’s humming (I’ve no problem there either) then rest assured that Lozakovich’s breathing is a lot less intrusive than that and most noticeable on headphones.

The solo work is forcefully played, the Chaconne more variegated – rhythmically, tonally, in terms of articulation – as well as less stately than, say, the wonderful Julia Fischer, who similarly courts interpretative dignity while respectfully sidestepping the more radical aspects of received modern scholarship and its implications in performance terms. Zimmermann’s CD couplings are the D minor Double Concerto and the violin version of the great D minor Keyboard Concerto, BWV1052, both of which are superb. In closing I would cite Lozakovich as a major talent in the making; and if his next disc is as good as this one, there’ll be much cause to celebrate.

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