Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto Serenade Melancolique Valse-Scherzo Souvenir (2006)

01. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: I. Allegro moderato	
02. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: II. Canzonetta: Andante
03. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: III. Finale: Allegro vivacissimo
04. Serenade melancolique, Op. 26
05. Valse – Scherzo, Op. 34
06. Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42: No. 1. Meditation
07. Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42: No. 2. Scherzo
08. Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42: No. 3. Melodie	play

Julia Fischer – violin
Russian National Orchestra
Yakov Kreizberg – conductor, piano (6-8)

"The miniatures also included on this album are rarely heard although they were written before (with the exception of the "Op. 42 Souvenir") the concerto and allow listeners to listen in on Tchaikovsky's experimentation and exploration of the instrument before he began writing the concerto. Talented, young violinist Julia Fischer plays these pieces superbly on this recording." ---Classic FM

Stunning and exquisite are the very words that come to mind whenever I think of the young German violinist Julia Fischer's superlative playing (Indeed, I consider myself most fortunate to have heard her perform live finally last season here in New York City with the New York Philharmonic, agreeing with others that the ample hype she's earned is ample praise for her sterling musicianship.). Now in her mid twenties, Julia Fischer embodies tremendous technical brilliance and ample lyricism in her playing. Nowhere is this more evident in her critically-acclaimed recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, in which she dazzles with musical pyrotechnics, especially in the first and final movements, and yet, not once does she forsake any empathy for Tchaikovsky's score, offering a truly moving interpretation. Stylistically, her style of playing reminds me most of a young Anne-Sophie Mutter's, but coupled too with an ample abundance of warmth, so that her style also resembles that of Joshua Bell's in its emotional intensity. Under the baton of noted Russian-American conductor Yakov Kreizberg, the Russian National Orchestra plays with ample precision, without losing its Slavic soul, as though it was the Russian equivalent of the Wiener Philharmoniker. There's refined playing from the orchestra throughout the concerto, especially from the winds and strings, at a pace that isn't leisurely at all. As well as the concerto, the Russian National Orchestra offers more of its superlative playing in the rarely heard Serenade melancolique for violin and orchestra and Valse-scherzo pieces. Conductor Yakov Kreizberg proves to be a sympathetic, sensitive accompanist too as the pianist in the Souvenir d'un lieu cher for violin and piano. This PentaTone recording truly deserved being singled out by premier classical music magazine Grammophone as an Editor's Choice recording, and not just for Fischer's magnificent performances; the sound quality is absolutely stellar too. While I still hold in high regard the recent recordings made by Vengerov and Bell of this concerto, Fischer's recording may be regarded by most as perhaps the best that is available currently. ---John Kwok

I chose the version with Julia Fischer and Yakov Kreizberg with the Russian Natiaonla Orchestra as I thought that russians should know how to play Tchaikovsky and could provide positive impact to a reputable german soloist. But alas, it totally lacked the russian spirit and power almost to the point of being anonymous. I could hardly "recognize" the first movement being so vague and uncommitting. Whether is was the conductor, the orchestra or Julia Fischer having a bad day is hard to say, but no one seemed to be able to inspire the other. Of course there are different interpretations, however, in this case, we all have the privilege to have an opinion and choose a favorite which I am now looking for. ---Marc Allan Donsmark (Denmark)

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