Sasha Plays Romantic Russian Rarities

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Musical talent often runs in families--Bach's and Mozart's come readily to mind. Alexander Sitkovetsky represents the youngest of three generations of famous Russian musicians, including a violinist grandfather and uncle, and a pianist grandmother and mother. Indeed, his mother performs with him on this, his debut recording. Sitkovetsky started playing violin at the age of 6 and he was performing two years later. Yehudi Menuhin, impressed by his talent, invited him to study at his school and took him under his wing. He has embarked on a flourishing career as a teenager.

He is indeed a most successful young violinist, with the technique and flair of a virtuoso, but also the lyrical soul of a poet. The program on this disc is well-suited to his years, but it's of very uneven musical quality, featuring mainly encore pieces. Some are too long, some are cheap and corny, most are often dubious transcriptions--they are showpieces that display Sitkovetsky's brilliant technique. The most remarkable aspect of his playing, however, is that he approaches the music with total seriousness, without a hint of sentimentality or condescension; he even slides with restraint and discretion. His tone is austere, pure, never sweet or throbbing, and he can vary it instantly to fit mood and character. Thus, he succeeds in concealing the banality and bringing out the charm and expressive lyricism of these musical trifles. Prokofiev's Five Pieces from the ballet Cinderella are most engaging; Zimbalist's Fantasy on a theme by Rimsky-Korsakov, an empty bravura piece, is least satisfying. No matter--the playing's the thing. It will be very interesting to see what this arresting, appealing player does with more substantial repertoire. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

Wienawski: Souvenir De Moscow, Op. 6
Prokofiev: Cinderella: Waltz
Prokofiev: Cinderella: Gavotte
Prokofiev: Cinderella: Passe Pied
Prokofiev: Cinderella: Winter Fairy
Prokofiev: Cinderella: Mazurka
Rachmaninov: Daisies
Tchaikovsky: Song Without Words, Op. 2 No. 3
Rachmaninov: Hungarian Dance, Op. 6 No. 2
Gliere: Romance, Op. 3
Glinka: Mazurka
Rachmaninov: Romance, Op. 6 No. 1
Zimbalist: Fantasy On A Theme From Le Coq D'or

Amazon.com

Musical talent often runs in families--Bach's and Mozart's come readily to mind. Alexander Sitkovetsky represents the youngest of three generations of famous Russian musicians, including a violinist grandfather and uncle, and a pianist grandmother and mother. Indeed, his mother performs with him on this, his debut recording. Sitkovetsky started playing violin at the age of 6 and he was performing two years later. Yehudi Menuhin, impressed by his talent, invited him to study at his school and took him under his wing. He has embarked on a flourishing career as a teenager.

He is indeed a most successful young violinist, with the technique and flair of a virtuoso, but also the lyrical soul of a poet. The program on this disc is well-suited to his years, but it's of very uneven musical quality, featuring mainly encore pieces. Some are too long, some are cheap and corny, most are often dubious transcriptions--they are showpieces that display Sitkovetsky's brilliant technique. The most remarkable aspect of his playing, however, is that he approaches the music with total seriousness, without a hint of sentimentality or condescension; he even slides with restraint and discretion. His tone is austere, pure, never sweet or throbbing, and he can vary it instantly to fit mood and character. Thus, he succeeds in concealing the banality and bringing out the charm and expressive lyricism of these musical trifles. Prokofiev's Five Pieces from the ballet Cinderella are most engaging; Zimbalist's Fantasy on a theme by Rimsky-Korsakov, an empty bravura piece, is least satisfying. No matter--the playing's the thing. It will be very interesting to see what this arresting, appealing player does with more substantial repertoire. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Great playing with some beautiful moments........2006-03-05

I strongly agree with the review by sergey written previously. There are particular tracks which are wonderful including the Zimbalist and many movements from the Cinderella Suite.He has some quality tone production which is a rarity in itself these days. Yes, absolutely, the pianists playing is wooden and I heard both players in concert a year ago and have since found that it is his mother in fact. Sasha's playing was very good with much energy/vigour and coloring but it was a shame he uses the same pianist as she was either again quite boring or at times just un-poised and just painfully amateur. Perhaps he needs to move on from playing with his rehearsal pianist if he wants to devlop into a greater character.
He is a young talent with much to offer. Keep a look out!

Very good for someone his age.......2004-04-27

There are some good qualities in this guys playing though at times works sounded 'fake' as if he were playing things because he was told to do so and therefore occasionally did not sound natural. Perhaps at such a young age this is not always possible.
The piano player whom I think is some relation to him was disappointing. In fact, many highly established musicians and colleague's of mine after listening to it have commented on this pianist saying it has ruined the overall CD by its colorless, dull and lifeless playing with an obvious lack of musicianship like a digital machine. I do however think this violinist will mature into something bright. Let's hope he doesn't use that piano player...

does the soul matter?.......2003-01-13

This CD was given to me as a sort of joke/gift by a friend because I had found the picture on the cover to be really cute and had commented that I'd almost buy it for the picture. Well, for christmas, my friend bought it for me!

In essence, I find his playing to be unhumanly accurate and clean. However, after two listenings, I come away with no memory of, or attraction to his violinistic soul. He sounds utterly over-trained. I cannot pick out anything 'wrong' with his playing....the tempos are good, intonation is insanely accurate, there isn't anything unmusical. But it is so plain and without passion. Where are the operatic glissandi? Where is the violins ability to display an unmatchable variety of colors, vibratos, rubato? I only feel more respect towards the violin culture of past days (think Kreisler, Elman, young Menuhin, Seidl) where intensity of your personality and your interpretation mattered most and the violin was trying to emulate the most exquisite human operatic voice. Now the violin culture seems intent on emulating the most accurate digital note producing equipment.

IN fact, I think I'd almost get the same effect of this recording if it were recorded with digital equipment and not an acoustic violin.

But, to end on a good note....bravo for his incredible technical achievements.

..................

Wicked Wicked Cool.......2002-01-26

This album is one of the best that I have bought in a while. It is sooooooooooo good. He is so amazing and if you don't have this album yet, what are you waiting for??? Go get it! You will love it!

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Comadres

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Singles Collection: The London Years