1930s Violin Concertos, Vol. 2 / Gil Shaham

GIL SHAHAM STUTTGART RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA THE KNIGHTS THE KNIGHTS, GIL SHAHAM

From violinist Gil Shaham is the second volume in his ongoing series of violin concertos from the turbulent, unsettled 1930s. Prokofiev penned his Violin Concerto No. 2 as he prepared to return to Stalinist Russia after a period of exile, while Bartók composed his own work just before he bid farewell to his native Hungary. These two concertos have played a role Gil’s life for over 30 years; he first played the Prokofiev publicly with the Israel Sinfonietta on a tour of the USA when he was just 13 years old, learning the concerto from an edition of the score containing David Oistrakh’s fingerings. The violinist adds, ‘‘I have really cherished the conversations I have had discussing these scores with legendary violinists Isaac Stern and Yehudi Menuhin who recounted conversations they had with the Prokofiev and Bartók respectively’’. Gil has recorded both works before to much acclaim, but over time he explains, ‘‘things grow in your head, the way you feel about the music changes’’. Shaham’s “trademark lyricism”, “effortless and natural playing” and “impeccable technique” shouldn’t leave the listener wanting on this new recording. “I have never encountered performances where soloist, orchestra and conductor connect with such unerring intuition, where the music – rather than its superficial display potential – is treated so naturally.” Gramophone Magazine (reviewing Prokofiev Violin Concertos 1 and 2) “Gil Shaham proved a controlled, eloquent soloist more than capable of balancing wistfulness and regret, anger and hope”. New York Times (Bartók 2 with Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin)

Price: $21.98