This is a very varied catch with a different soloist and conductor for each
concerto. Oistrakh and Kremer devotees will not want to miss these recordings.
Sound quality is never very sophisticated. These are radio tapes rescued
from Russian Radio archives. The sound is probably mono throughout. The notes
do not tell me. The Karayev is possibly in stereo.
Two very different concertos from the very late 1950s are sandwiched between
two from the years of the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany. Overall
the bread comes over far more successfully than the filling. Both the Nicolai
Rakov (1908-90) and Lev Knipper (1898-1974) works, dating from 1943 and 1944
respectively, are sweetly and meatily melodious. They are not specially original
and are none the worse for that. The Knipper (played by Arkady Futer rec
1966) is called 'Little Concerto' and so it is, running circa 11 minutes
across three pocket movements. The language is a rather touching blend of
Delius, Glazunov, Korngold and Dvorak. The only criticism is an unconvincing
finish.
The Rakov (David Oistrakh rec 1947) is quite a find too and deserves more
exposure. It is another ripely romantic work but here struggles with crumbly
fragile sound. It is written in much the same language as the Knipper but
with a dash of Walton - odd since there is presumably no way Rakov could
have heard the Walton while writing it. The Khrennikov (Yako Sato rec 1967)
and Karayev (Gidon Kremer rec 1989) are written in very different language.
The latter is atonal and only becomes engaging in the final sardonic march
movement which shows signs of Shostakovich's tutelage. The Khrennikov is,
to my ears, a rather empty exercise. The language is certainly approachable
and the violinist's skills are tested or showcased as is expected but little
stays in the memory afterwards except perhaps a rather Eastern caste to the
first movement which also uses material which seems to have escaped from
Rosenkavalier.
Good notes from John Kehoe though I would have liked to know more about the
featured composers' other works. Perhaps their music will appear in future
releases. Good discographic information but no indication of stereo or mono.
Reviewer
Robert Barnett
rec 1947-1989
