Lisa Batiashvili (violin), Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Esa-Pekka Salonen
Kancheli: V & V for violin and taped voice with string orchestra Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel Rachmaninov: Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 - with Hélène Grimaud (piano)
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99 / Lyric Waltz (Dances of the Dolls)
Wholenote Discoveries - April 2011
The Deutsche Grammophon debut CD by the Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili is her selection of works by composers whose artistic lives were impacted by the Soviet regime, and it’s a real winner. At its core is the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No.1, and it’s worth the price of the CD on its own. Whatever the truth of the composer’s apparent compliance with the regime, there is no music from the 20th century that is more painfully personal than that of Shostakovich: listening to this deeply moving performance made me feel almost uncomfortable, as if intruding on someone’s most intimate thoughts. The contribution of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Esa-Pekka Salonen is outstanding. Nothing else on the disc really measures up after that, but it’s still terrific playing. Giya Kancheli’s V&V, for violin and taped voice with string orchestra, and Shostakovich’s Lyrical Waltz (orchestrated by Batiashvili’s father) are paired with Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel and Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, Batiashvili being joined by the excellent Hélène Grimaud on piano. Terry Robbins Gramophone Recording of the Month - March 2011 Lisa Batiashvili’s debut album for Deutsche Grammophon “Echoes of Time” is a matter of the heart - an unusual, very individual and fascinating program by one of the most appreciated young soloists of our days.
The collection is rounded up by two short pieces: an orchestrated version of Shostakovich’s elegant Waltz from the Doll’s Dances cycle (1952), and Rachmaninov’s all-time favourite melody Vocalise, written two years before the composers’ emigration from Russia.
Price: $15.98