Est 1923

Prokofiev/Stravinsky Violin Concertos

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Sergey Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky

Label: Classical

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 70

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: SK53969

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Cho-Liang Lin, Violin
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Cho-Liang Lin, Violin
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Igor Stravinsky, Composer
Cho-Liang Lin, Violin
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor
Igor Stravinsky, Composer
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

Composer or Director: Sergey Prokofiev

Label: Denon

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 48

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CO-75891

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Boris Belkin, Violin
Michael Stern, Conductor
Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Boris Belkin, Violin
Michael Stern, Conductor
Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
The two Prokofiev violin concertos have been lucky on disc, and here are two more excellent versions offering performances, beautifully played and recorded, which bring out both the romantic warmth and the virtuoso panache of both works. Though the Denon disc has sound a degree cleaner and more refined than the Sony, and Belkin offers many individual insights—notably in his very measured, yearningly tender account of the slow movement of No. 2—his disc suffers in practical terms from providing no makeweight.
Cho-Liang Lin's on the other hand has an exceptionally generous and very apt coupling, the same as is offered on the Decca compilation on the mid-price Ovation label, bringing together Kyung-Wha Chung's readings with Previn and the LSO of the Stravinsky and both Prokofievs. Those have long been favourite readings of mine, and initially I was disappointed with Lin's reading at the very start of No. 1, when the great opening melody was relatively restrained compared with Chung. In that opening she immediately conveys an intense poignancy that establishes this as a great romantic work, where Lin keeps his emotions in reserve for a little longer, giving the melody sweetness and purity above all.
Curiously the opposite is true of their respective treatments of the counterpart melody at the opening of the finale, where Lin is slower and more warmly expressive. Generally the contrast in both works is that where Chung's romanticism combined with rich, full tone brings a hint of vulnerability, the command of Lin at every point has one marvelling that such poised, flawless virtuosity can also convey such warmth along with such positive characterization. His violin is balanced a little more backwardly than Chung's, but that is no disadvantage, rather the opposite. In the rumbustious double-stopping of the dance-like main theme in the finale of No. 2 Chung is more emphatic but less clean-cut, while Lin with his sharp, clear attack and fine lilting rhythm conveys even more power. Though the orchestral sound is not helped by a rather heavy bass emphasis, this is one of the finest Los Angeles recordings I can remember, made not in the Chandler Pavilion but in Royce Hall, UCLA. The refinement of both performance and recording in the pianissimo conclusions to the outer movements of No. 1 is ravishing.
In the Stravinsky Salonen terraces the orchestral accompaniment to bring out the dramatic dynamic contrasts, with woodwind and brass exceptionally bold and full. That underpins another powerful and warmly expressive reading from Lin. Chung and Previn may find a degree more bounce and fun in Stravinsky's chugging ostinatos, but again the sheer command and purposefulness of both soloist and orchestra on the new disc would be hard to match. An outstanding issue in every way.'

Prokofiev/Stravinsky Violin Concertos

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Prokofiev Violin Concertos

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2

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