Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
At budget price, this is a highly recommendable coupling of Shostakovich's two violin concertos. As with the cello concertos, the First is far more popular than the Second, which is a pity because the Second Concerto is very different from the First, and no less worthy. Shostakovich wrote both of these works for David Oistrakh, and the brooding First Concerto was one of his "desk drawer" pieces. He put it aside until after Stalin's death when the subsequent cultural thaw made performance possible. The Second is a lighter, more carefree work, with a freer lyrical impulse. Kaler plays them both with enthusiasm and, where called for, probing interpretive insight. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor - Op.99: Nocturne
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor - Op.99: Sherzo
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor - Op.99: Passacaglia
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor - Op.99: Burlesque
Violin Concerto No. 2 in C Sharp Minor - Op.129: Moderato
Adagio
Adagio-Allegro

Amazon.com

At budget price, this is a highly recommendable coupling of Shostakovich's two violin concertos. As with the cello concertos, the First is far more popular than the Second, which is a pity because the Second Concerto is very different from the First, and no less worthy. Shostakovich wrote both of these works for David Oistrakh, and the brooding First Concerto was one of his "desk drawer" pieces. He put it aside until after Stalin's death when the subsequent cultural thaw made performance possible. The Second is a lighter, more carefree work, with a freer lyrical impulse. Kaler plays them both with enthusiasm and, where called for, probing interpretive insight. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Exemplary, insightful performances.......2004-02-12

Ilya Kaler's performances of these two wildly different but equally beautiful and dark concertos are just about flawless. While he is capable of imbuing his tone with a rich sonority, he is not afraid to sound slightly astringent when the occasion calls for it. His reading of the second concerto's powerful cadenza is a case in point: brilliantly phrased, ferociously executed and played with compelling conviction, it is a thrilling demonstration of Kaler's formidable skill. The first movement of the first concerto is also especially memorable, particularly because of the sensitivity and fervour with which Kaler controls the music's nocturnal tension. As a matter of fact, he plays both concertos with seemingly remarkable ease, though this is not to suggest that he scamps them. Far from it: his playing is unremittingly virtuosic and, at times, even poignant. When Shostakovich asks for briskness in a seemingly Mahlerian folk melody, Kayer delivers with infectious energy. Similarly, when anguished reflection is required, he plays with a focused sense of direction and despair. As far as I am concerned, his playing is almost second to none. Oistrakh is perhaps the only real contender, and he should be too, seeing as Shostakovich originally dedicated the second of these concertos to him. Furthermore, Naxos's sound recording is immaculate, though some might take issue with the fact that the violin is slightly too close-miked, a problem which many recordings of violin concertos have.

The only qualm I have is with the orchestra's occasionally perfunctory support. Though Antoni Wit is undoubtedly a great conductor, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra is merely competent, lacking the technical flair and impact of world-class ensembles. Their playing is less convincing than it should be in some places- it could be more frenetic in some places and more full-blooded in others- but these shortcomings do not detract from these performances in any serious way. At the end of the day, this is a first-class Naxos release which receives my unreserved recommendation.

The best version.......2001-12-29

Shostakovich is one of my favorite composers. I bought several CD versions of Shostakovich violin concerto No.1, such as those played by David Oistrakh, Vengerov, Sitkovetsky, and Ilya Kaler, as the solo violinist. Among those versions, my personal preference is Ilya Kaler's performance. To me, his interpretation is unique and more profound and touching than others. First of all, his playing has a superior quality of golden tone: bright, pure, smooth, and sharp. This golden tone quality fits this concerto wonderfully. Secondly, he let music speak by itself with his tempo and phrasing perfectly judged, which reveal his deep understanding of this music. I do not feel so convinced by other interpretations, which are often faster and thus lose some profound effect. This is most obvious in the third movement. Antoni Wit and PNSO did a great job in the performance. The sound is excellent and tempo is perfectly judged, giving Keler the best support. To me, this is the best performance of Shostakovich violin concerto No.1.

Hidden Jewel.......2001-08-06

I have heard other recordings by Ilya Kaler. He is a hidden jewel and his violin playing is spectacular!! Just listen to his performance of the third movement(passacagia)of the Concerto No. 1 Op. 99 and you will be able to see. He plays with real passion and beauty. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest violinist alive and does not receive the credit that he deserves!! If you enjoyed this recording, I recommend Kaler's recording of the Paganini Caprices that is also on the Naxos label.

Just as a side note... I may be wrong but I believe that Kaler is the only violinist to ever win gold medal in all three violin competitions; the Paganini, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky competion.

Very Lively.......2001-07-04

As most of Shostakovich's pieces are, his violin Concertos are very lively. With tons of double stops, octaves, and other things that sound moderately odd from a violin, The first Violin Concerto seems to change between soft and loud; slow and fast. The second has less of that, but spends more time in the slow tempos. Ilya Kaler does a grand job, even though he is not as good as Isaac Stern or Itzhak Perlman. He plays everything almost perfectly, in fact, i have not yet found a mistake in his playing. Dont mind that it is played by the "Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, it sounds just great. Antoni Wit conducts it fine, though i have no other pieces played by any of the people that conduct or play on this CD. If you like these pieces, you should greatly consider looking into one of Shostakovich's Piano Concertos. Particularily his second one, which is in Fantasia 2000 and used to represent the Steadfast Tin soldair.

Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Average customer rating:

Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Vangerov , Rostropovich , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Elatus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006DIC5
Release Date: 2006-05-19

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Op.77
Violin Concerto No. 2 In C Sharp Minor, Op.129

Average customer rating:

Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos.1 & 2
Oistrach , Kondrashin , Marvinsky , and Leningrad
Manufacturer: Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000026O00
Release Date: 1998-06-11