The Romantic Violin Concerto 7 - Arensky & Taneyev
Ilya Gringolts (violin)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov
Gringolts came to attention when he won the Paganini prize ten years ago, His fluency, virtuosity and lyrical intensity have been much and rightly admired and this record… is his best yet....
The Romantic Violin Concerto 7 - Arensky & Taneyev
Ilya Gringolts (violin)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov
Purchase product
Gringolts came to attention when he won the Paganini prize ten years ago, His fluency, virtuosity and lyrical intensity have been much and rightly admired and this record… is his best yet....
About
This disc juxtaposes two significant Russian works for violin and orchestra, each written by a composer with a close relationship to Tchaikovsky, and each dedicated to the great violinist and pedagogue Leopold Auer. These two concertos are both formidable display pieces, designed to show off Auer’s transcendental technique. Ilya Gringolts, acclaimed as one of the great violin virtuosos of today and lauded for his debut recording on Hyperion, dazzles in this repertoire, ably supported by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Ilan Volkov. Arensky’s Violin Concerto is a original single-movement work, cast in contrasting sections. It is a model of the flowering of Russian romantic nationalism: Tchaikovsky’s influence on his friend is pleasingly evident, as is Arensky’s gift for melody and delightful contrasts of musical character. Taneyev’s much larger Suite de concert is a synthesis of different styles: it looks back to the Baroque suite with its different dance movements, the Märchen movement suggesting the high Romanticism of Schumann and the Theme and Variations a homage to Tchaikovsky. Particularly striking is the finale: an energetic and vivacious Tarantella, almost relentless in its onrushing rhythm. As the finale proceeds the dance becomes more frenetic, driving to a viscerally exciting conclusion that must have brought the house down in live performances.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
March 2009
Gringolts came to attention when he won the Paganini prize ten years ago, His fluency, virtuosity and lyrical intensity have been much and rightly admired and this record… is his best yet. He is expertly and sensitively partnered by Ilan Volkov and the BBC Scottish Orchestra.
2010
Arensky's Concerto is a continuous, four-in one, 20-minute movement, Mendelssohnian in style, elegantly turned at every stage, and with a relatively undemanding solo part that would be perfect for students looking for something other than Bruch to limber up on. Taneyev's Suite is far more ambitious, not to say hybrid in form, encompassing a neo-Baroque Prelude and Gavotte, a Schumannesque 'folktale', a Theme with seven variations and coda, and a final Tarantella, all in a 40-minute structure that needs a soloist of outstanding technical command and expressive range.
Ilya Gringolts is fine advocate for both works, combining brilliance and idiomatic sensitivity, and enjoying fine support from Volkov and the BBC Scottish. In short, another superbly conceived and truthfully recorded addition to Hyperion's 'Romantic Violin Concerto' series.
March 2009
Ilya Gringolts is fine advocate for both works, combining brilliance and idiomatic sensitivity, and enjoying fine support from Volkov and the BBC Scottish. …another superbly conceived and truthfully recorded addition to Hyperion's "Romantic Violin Concerto" series.
2011 edition
The concerto's second theme is an adorable idea that is both touching and difficult to dislodge from one's memory. Ilya Gringolts plays it with disarming elegance and warmth, yet elsewhere he offers effortless brilliance and is expertly and sensitively partnered by Ilan Volkov and the Scottish Orchestra.
