Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto / Glazunov: Violin Concerto

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Music reviews of Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto / Glazunov: Violin Concerto

Music Review: Why I Owe Maxim Vengerov an Apology. . .
Rating: 5 Stars

What he *is*, is a genius.

I've listened to his recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic twice (again) tonight, and am now quite certain that the man's bow arm is not subject to the force of gravity *or* the laws of physics. It brings home, more than anything I've ever listened to, the difference between an accomplished amateur and one of the best in the world at what he does.

Vengerov's bow arm is preternaturally agile, in ways that cause *my* right arm to hurt just from trying to *think* about them. His control over every muscle, from the big, gross-movement monsters of the shoulder and upper arm to the tiniest muscles in his fingers at the frog of the bow, shows in every note, every beautifully-executed phrase. Especially in the cadenza at the end of the first movement, but really, throughout the disc, he shows time and time again why it is the *right* hand that makes a master violinist, and not the flashier, seemingly more-dextrous left.

All of which might be incidental, if this wasn't the Tchaikovsky. The Beethoven is a more completely perfect concerto for the violin, but *no one* orchestrates like Tchaikovsky. Every important phrase is given over at precisely the perfect moment, to *exactly* the instrument that ought to voice it. And even Claudio Abbado's occasionally plodding direction can't screw up the Berlin Philharmonic when they're playing with a musician of Vengerov's caliber.

If you're a fan of the violin, of Tchaikovsky in general, or of Maxim Vengerov in particular, and *don't* own this CD, you should rush right out and buy it.

Vengerov's performance runs the gamut from playful and humorous to dark and brooding, but his playing on this piece is always brilliant, always appropriate, and nearly flawless, a tour de force of virtuosity, musicianship, and thoughtful interpretation. This disc is the perfect illustration of why major labels and major orchestras continue to occasionally assay a new recording of one of the warhorses of the repertoire.

The Glazunov is a pleasant, well-played, and occasionally moving "B" side (if perhaps a bit light), 'though here Vengerov is not quite as convincing as he is in Shostakovich's Violin
Concerto #1 on his disc with Rostropovich conducting the National Symphony Orchestra.

Description of Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto / Glazunov: Violin Concerto

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