Contemporary Violin Concerti, as performed by Anne-Sophie Mutter
Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of my favorite performers. She is a world-class musician, with great sensitivity in her expression, as well as great style and a fine musical feeling. Her ability to produce great melodic colors, and her technical mastery are unsurpassed.
On this CD:
- 1. Sur le même accord, nocturne for violin & orchestra
Composed by Henri Dutilleux
Performed by Orchestre National de France
with Anne-Sophie Mutter
Conducted by Kurt Masur
- 2. Violin Concerto (No. 2) in B minor
Composed by Bela Bartok
Performed by Boston Symphony Orchestra
with Anne-Sophie Mutter
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa
- 3. Violin Concerto in D major
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
with Anne-Sophie Mutter
Conducted by Paul Sacher
“Sur Le Meme Accord” was dedicated to Ms. Mutter, who seems to be its ideal performer. It is a short piece for violin and orchestra that exhibits many of Dutilleux’s French impressionistic trademarks – being colorful, sophisticated, bold and adventurous.
“Sur le même accord” (“On the one chord”) was commissioned by conductor Paul Sacher when Anne-Sophie Mutter was only 16 years old. Henri Dutilleux delivered the score over a decade later. Anne-Sophie Mutter performed it on 28 April 2002 for the first time in London, with Kurt Masur conducting. This piece isn’t a concerto but a study in delicate musical colorations and delicate orchestral tints. The violin opens the piece with the notes of the chord in pizzicato, leading to an orchestral development of which it becomes the most dominant voice.
Anne-Sophie Mutter also does a beautiful job in her performance of the Stravinsky concerto, and she produces so much variety and shading in her playing that she gives added interest to Stravinsky’s score, which can sound a little dry and mechanical at times.
The Bartok is given a thoughtful reading, as well. As such, we have a terrific collection of 20th century violin music on this one CD.
Here is “TANGO, SONG AND DANCE”, as performed by Anne-Sophie Mutter and André Previn:
And here is Ms. Mutter in Korngold’s Violin Concerto 3rd Movement:
Tags: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Bartok, Stravinsky, Henri Dutilleux