- Discover more great music in our Proper Music store, and read about the very best of Proper Music's latest and forthcoming releases in Properganda Issue 19 (online flash version).
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op.61 1806 - Allegro non troppo |
| 2. Larghetto |
| 3. Rondo (Allegro) |
| 4. Romance No.2 for Violin and Orchestra in F Major, op.40 7.28 |
| 5. Romance no.1 for Violin and Orchestra in G major, op.50 6.01 |
| 6. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, wo05 fragment (original manuscript version) |
Product Description
Review
There has been a surprising number of new recordings of Beethoven recently from some fine fiddle players in the spring of their careers. Yet even amongst this crop of estimable newcomers, this one is unusually interesting, and not a little provocative.
From the first dry timpani strokes, the colours of period winds, the bite of the strings and propulsive tempo, you might guess that it’s Philippe Herreweghe and his Orchestre des Champs-Elysees. We’re made to wait a little for the soloist’s first entry, and the rising octaves are given an exploratory feel… which is a clue to Moldavian violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja’s approach. If you think you know her sound from previous recordings, you’d be forgiven for not recognising it; she’s deliberately channelling the spirit of the concerto’s first performer, Franz Clement, and contemporary descriptions of his playing: “light, silvery touch, a natural poise, and totally unforced spontaneity.”
Kopatchinskaja has extended that sense of freedom by experimenting with some of the variants in Beethoven’s autograph, all perfectly reasonable and unlikely to ruffle the plumage, unlike the cadenzas. She’s not the first violinist to reach for the ones Beethoven himself wrote for this concerto when he prepared a version of it for piano, but she’s the only violinist to attempt to play all the notes from the piano cadenzas, multi-tracking herself to startling effect. Which leaves the ‘historically informed’ credentials of the performance in a state of authentic confusion, yet at the same time amplifies the sense of adventure and genuine re-discovery.
The period orchestral sounds are vital; the flowing tempos are close to Beethoven’s metronome marks; Kopatchinskaja’s character, her soaring sound and improvisatory flair are compelling, and ultimately highly musical. How much you care for the performance in the end might depend on those ‘impossible’ cadenzas, yet there’s a spirit and freshness I haven’t heard since Thomas Zehetmair’s account of the Beethoven with Frans Bruggen.
Kopatchinskaja has something genuinely individual to say about this much-loved and recorded masterpiece, and it comes with attractively straight accounts of the two Romances, and the unadorned Fragment of what might have become a C major violin concerto. --Andrew McGregor
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
BBC Music Magazine, (Erik Levi), December 2009
(5 stars) Warmly recorded account...must be one of the most stimulating and provocative that has ever been committed to disc.
(4 stars) She's slimmed her tone to a fragile finesse...the freshness of this interpretation is exhilarating.
The disc is a considerable success, the best 'authentic' version so far...the solo playing is lovely...the recordings are first-rate.
(4 stars) She's slimmed her tone to a fragile finesse...the freshness of this interpretation is exhilarating.
The disc is a considerable success, the best 'authentic' version so far...the solo playing is lovely...the recordings are first-rate.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There has been controversy about the cadenzas used in this recording- they are the cadenzas from Beethoven's own piano arrangement of this concerto and, to accommodate the second line in the piano, Kopatchinskaia recorded both parts which have then been overdubbed and-although she could no doubt gone for the option of having the leader of the orchestra play one line ( this is an option in part of the Berg Concerto)- the recorded result is fresh, new and as invigorating as a cadenza should be, yet it still remains an arrangement of a score written by Beethoven. In a few places throughout the concerto the soloist has opted for Beethoven's own alterative notations found in the autograph.
The carefree, joyful nature of Kopachinskaia's performace makes this lively interpretation not rushed or light-weight but refreshingly young and new-minted.
Herreweghe and his period orchestra are first-rate and at one with the soloist
If you really must have heavy, intellectualize Beethoven this will not be for you, at least it won't be unless you are brave enough to listern and surprise yourself!
The two Romances and the fragment we have of the
early violin concerto in C woo 5 completes the disc.
The carefree, joyful nature of Kopachinskaia's performace makes this lively interpretation not rushed or light-weight but refreshingly young and new-minted.
Herreweghe and his period orchestra are first-rate and at one with the soloist
If you really must have heavy, intellectualize Beethoven this will not be for you, at least it won't be unless you are brave enough to listern and surprise yourself!
The two Romances and the fragment we have of the
early violin concerto in C woo 5 completes the disc.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Romances, Fragment Concerto
From the opening bars this version of the Violin Concerto announces that we are about to hear something quite different. The sheer verve of the opening sequence grips one's attention very firnly indeed, the technical mastery of her instrument distinguishes the soloist and the concerto continues quite unswervingly. Of particular interest is a portion which has never appeared in either of the two existing recordings in my collection and so the entire concerto absolutely commands your attention for fear of missing yet another nuance. A wonderful addition to any classical collection and certainly not a "duplicate".
From the opening bars this version of the Violin Concerto announces that we are about to hear something quite different. The sheer verve of the opening sequence grips one's attention very firnly indeed, the technical mastery of her instrument distinguishes the soloist and the concerto continues quite unswervingly. Of particular interest is a portion which has never appeared in either of the two existing recordings in my collection and so the entire concerto absolutely commands your attention for fear of missing yet another nuance. A wonderful addition to any classical collection and certainly not a "duplicate".
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
We have had quite a number of Beethoven Concerto records by relatively new and talented violinists of late and this is a particularly stimulating example. Kopatchinskaja is first and foremost an intelligent musician and her account of the Beethoven is, as well as being attractively played, fresh and full of interesting interpretive ideas. It dares to be different and is yet convincing and true. Is it compelling? Perhaps not to the extent that the very greatest performances are but it is very satisfying. I doubt I would have even asked the "compelling?" question were it not for the fact that I was recently listening to the also recent Faust/Abbado version (and that, although less intellectual, is compelling).
For this CD, I would say that satisfying plus stimulating (plus keenly priced) together equal a compelling case for wanting to own this CD. The fill ups - two Romances equally well played - and an interesting fragment of another Beethoven concerto add to the attractions. Having Herreweghe as the conductor is another considerable bonus.
For this CD, I would say that satisfying plus stimulating (plus keenly priced) together equal a compelling case for wanting to own this CD. The fill ups - two Romances equally well played - and an interesting fragment of another Beethoven concerto add to the attractions. Having Herreweghe as the conductor is another considerable bonus.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Beethoven Violin Concerto -Patricia Kopatchinskaja soloist
This is a compelling performance by a talented Violinist accompanied by an excellent orchestra. I am a great fan of music played on period instruments and enjoyed this work... Read more
Published 18 months ago by RAB
Baroque Beethoven
Having very much enjoyed Janine Jansen's recording of the Beethoven concerto, I was looking forward to hearing another brilliant young violinist in the work. Read more
Published 23 months ago by John Moremusic
Nell'Olimpo del suono
Un disco che corrisponde alle attese: una violinista di talento e un grande direttore alle prese con un ensemble particolarmente brillante quando si misura con il repertorio... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2009 by pablot68
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
