Vengerov at the top of the tree - Those of us who have been around for over 70 years will have to admit that there has never been a violinist who more sensationally is able to make music at this level. He has the left hand of a Heifitz, the heart of a russian gypsy and the soul of a musician. It is truly remarkable to find in one player the best of all the things required to be great - technique, heart, soul, musicianship, understanding and an ability to create a large catalogue of sounds which seem inevitable. These preformances surely will never be bettered and rarely, if ever, equalled.
A lyrical, un-Russian approach - Anyone familiar with the playing styles of Oistrakh, Kogan, and more recent emigrees like Rapin, Spivakov, and Rachlin will instantly hear that Vengerov is not giving a typical Russian reading on this CD. His playing is not aggressive, he doesn t aim for a fat tone in every bar, and he exchanges virtuosic extroversion for inward, lyrical playing as often as not. The Shostakovich and Prokofiev concerti are usually turned into showpieces, whereas on this CD they become personal expressions.That s really my only comment. The other reviewers have already praised Vengerov s playing. He is in a league ahead of Rostropovich, who is an effective but not inspired conductor. Together, they tame the biting contrasts often brought out in the first movement of the Prokofiev Second, and although Rostropovich can be a bit slack at times--no worse than Previn in the Prokofiev works, however--Vengerov triumphs in every respect. (If only the last movement of the Prokofiev wasn t such a slow poke.)My remarks apply mostly to the popular Prokofiev Second, the Shostakovich Second has largely fallen out of the repertoire, being a bit too austere, aggressive, and melodically indifferent to capture audience approval, in the West, at least.
Two Wondrous Works of the Violin Concerto Repertoire - There is something very grand about the collaboration between Maxim Vengerov and Mstislav Rostropovich captured by Teldec on this CD, a fine and even more distinctive pairing of concerti than their previous disc (Violin Concerti Nos. 1 by Prokofiev and Shostakovich). Though Rostropovich began his performing life as a cellist, he now is much sought after as a conductor. But perhaps by his beginning his career as a soloist he has this special affinity in collaboration as an accompanist for other soloists!It would be difficult to imagine more brilliant readings of these two concerti (each No. 2 in the respective composer s catalogues). Vengerov plays with sparkling precision on the fiery movements, but seems to blossom with the slow movements, music that conveys so much of the Russian soul that the beauty here is nearly unbearable. Rostropovich makes a sensitive collaborator, drawing empathetic phrasing from the London Symphony Orchestra. Another factor that lends to the success of this CD is the quality of sound produced by the technical wizardry of Teldec engineers. The violin is never too far forward in the miking and especially in the Shostakovich the soloist deems to come form the middle of the orchestral sound.In all this recording is the gold standard for these appropriately paired concerti.. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 2005
fabulous 20th century concertos - This is a great pairing of two Russian composers who have much in common, having come from the same turbulent era of history, but who are so unique in style and sound. Prokofiev (1891-1953) wrote this concerto in the mid 30s, and it shares some melodic influences from another composition of the same period, his glorious ballet score for Romeo and Juliet, there are many slow passages full of yearning and pathos, intertwined with an up-tempo happier mood. The Shostakovich (1906-1975) piece is more aggressive, vibrant and modern, written in 1967, and dedicated to the great David Oistrakh. It has a heavenly Adagio, and is my favorite of the two concertos. Maxim Vengerov is the ideal violinist for these works, full of youthful energy (he was only 22 when this recording were made in 1996) and Russian soul. Mstislav Rostropovich comes from a similar time period as the composers, and knew them as a young musician, giving the first performances of some of their cello compositions. This is a second team effort for Vengerov and Rostropovich, having recorded the Concerto # 1 of both Prokofiev and Shostakovich two years earlier, and garnering the coveted Gramaphone Record of the Year award. Both recordings are a wonderful addition to any 20th century classical violin collection. The liner notes by Christian Kubnt point out a coincidence, of how Rostropovich was 20 years old when he met Prokofiev in 1947, the same age as Vengerov when he started recording with Rostropovich forty-seven years later, and how it seems to be a Russian tradition for different generations to inspire one another in this way and for them to spur each other on to exceptional achievements, and exceptional achievements both this CD and its predecessor are. The sound is good, and total playing time 62 18.
Another excellent interpretation by Vengerov - Vengerov has a marvelous of way of interpreting pieces in such musical ways that I feel Heifetz lacked. However I give this particular CD only 4 stars because I found that the pieces he played were not very entertaining. Only hardcore Shostakovich or Prokofiev should buy this CD. I recommend buying one of Vengerov s Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto CD s.