> BACH Concertos Hudecek/Sitkovetsky [KM] : Classical Reviews- Oct 2002 MusicWeb(UK)

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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Bach - Hudecek/Sitkovetsky
Concerto for Violin and Strings in E major BWV 1042
Concerto for Violin and Strings in A minor BWV 1041
Concerto 2 Violins and Strings in D minor BWV 1043
Concerto 2 Violins and Strings in D minor BWV 1060
Vaclav Hudecek, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violins
Virtuosi di Praga/ Dmitry Sitkovetsky
Rec: February 1995
SUPRAPHON SU 3085-2031 [63.42]
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Among the many orchestral works Bach composed, his violin concertos are certainly the most familiar (with the exception, perhaps, of the Brandenburg Concertos). Bach, himself a violinist, wrote music that is highly idiomatic for the instrument, and his concertos are full of melodic variety and dramatic tension.

Many violinists have recorded these works, and this disc by Vaclav Hudecek and Dmitry Sitkovetsky adds to the well-trodden path of this music. Both violinists represent a romantic school of playing, that owes a lot to the eastern European tradition of violin playing.

While technically both violinists are excellent, this recording lacks a bit in emotion - the music is performed, even played, but not felt. The adagio of the E major concerto features a nice attention to dynamics by Hudecek, but his playing is stodgy and wooden. He seems more at home in the fast movements of these works, and the allegro of the A minor concerto seems to fit his style. But he seems to be just going through the motions, without really understanding Bach’s music. The concertos for two violins compound this problem, with Sitkovetsky joining and performing in approximately the same way.

The sound of the orchestra is dense and thick, and lacks relief. While the recording itself is good, there is not enough space among the instruments. The concertos for two violins are even harder to listen to, with the sound of the soloists being at times difficult to distinguish from the orchestra, resulting in musical confusion.

This is a forgettable disc, with uninspired performers and sound which, at times, distracts from the music. There are far too many good recordings of these works to settle for this one.
Kirk McElhearn

 


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SOUND SAMPLES
(minimum 30 secs)

Concerto for Violin in E Major BVW 1042
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro assai


Concerto for Violin in A Minor BVW 1041
Allegro
Andante
Allegro assai

Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor BVW 1043
Vivace
Largo ma non tanto
Allegro

Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor BVW 1060
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro



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