Glazunov Violin Concerto
I heard Ms. Fischer in Aspen, Colorado in the summer of 2006, and I was very impressed with her; this recording certainly confirms that most favorable impression. In Colorado I only heard her in chamber music performances, and on this CD one gets the full force of her capabilities.
Julia Fischer gives very sensitive, virtuosic, and beautiful performances of these Russian concerti for the violin. She is rhythmically excellent in the Khachaturian concerto and she produces a very gorgeous tone in the Galazunov concerto, as well. Likewise, the Prokofiev First Violin Concerto is given a sensitive performance with the late Yakov Kreizberg leading the Russian National Orchestra.
Ms. Fischer and the conductor demonstrate remarkable unity of musical purpose in these pieces. They have a good time with the Prokofiev, shattering the listener’s stereotype that genius in Russian classical music is sometimes tendentious, and boring.
In the Glazunov, as well, we get a completely fresh and straightforward reading, rooted in the performer’s love of the music. Julia realizes the more brilliant moments of the Glazunov concerto without forgetting that its themes are mainly lyrical, ad she plays them beautifully.
I was unable to locate a video of Ms. Fischer performing these selections. Instead I have for you the following:
Here is an interesting portrait of Julia Fischer that includes material from a very early age:
And here’s Hilary Hahn performing the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, op. 82 by Alexander Glazunov with the WDR Sinfonieorchester conducted by Semyon Bychkov, recorded in January of 2008
Tags: Julia Fischer, violin, Russian Violin concerti, Glazunov, Prokofiev, Khachaturian