Mutter’s Interview!
Many of you already know of my great admiration for Anne-Sophie Mutter’s interpretations of the great classical concerto literature, such as the Brahms, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and other violin concerti. On this CD, however, Mutter shows us the side of her artistry which focuses on Bartok, Dutilleux, and Stravinsky.
The Bartok Second violin concerto is large-scaled and forceful, and full of creative musical ideas. Mutter displays her usual purity of tone, and amazing bow technique in this composition. The Boston Symphony, under Ozawa is strong in their accompanying role.
Mutter also dominates with a robust, fine performance of the Stravinsky concerto; her approach is showy and romantic, and she displays interesting sound variety and shading in her playing that gives added interest to Stravinsky’s score
The third piece is the Dutilleux concerto that Mutter commissioned. The concerto is a study in delicate colorations and refined orchestral colors. I would not call it a major work, because the thematic material does not seem to be developed much once it is stated.
Bottom line? This is a fine opportunity for Ms. Mutter, as an admired mature artist, to explore material that is less familiar to the average listener, and to apply her great strengths of sound purity, expressiveness, and ability to create musical drama to compositions that emerged during the 20th century.
Here’s a video of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter talking about her performances of the US Premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Violin Concerto “In Tempus Praesens” with the San Francisco Symphony February 26-27, 2009.
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Tags: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Stravinsky, Bartok, concerto