Notes and Editorial Reviews
Originally recorded in 1987 and 1991, these solid performances of Prokofiev's Violin Concertos No. 1 and No. 2 and the Violin Sonata No. 2 are worthy additions to EMI's Encore series. Violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann is noted for his clear intonation, firm timbral control, and precise execution, but he is also quite expressive and passionate; this fine balance holds him in good stead in Prokofiev's concertos, which are always poised on the knife-edge between Classical and Romantic impulses. Even so, there are subtle but marked differences in his interpretations, and Zimmermann seems to take the Violin Concerto No. 1 into fairly dark emotional depths, whereas the Violin Concerto No. 2 is perceptibly brighter and more extroverted. The Berlin
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Philharmonic, under Lorin Maazel, and the Philharmonia Orchestra, under Mariss Jansons, provide complementary support, and the interactions of the soloist and the ensembles are both well-timed and responsive. The Violin Sonata No. 2 may seem like filler after the two impressive concertos, but Zimmermann and his accompanist, Alexander Lonquich, give this neo-Classical work a witty and invigorating run-through, and more than justify the piece's inclusion. EMI's sound quality is fine, but a little on the soft side.
-- Blair Sanderson, AllMusic.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Concerto for Violin no 1 in D major, Op. 19 by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Frank Peter Zimmermann (Violin)
Conductor:
Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1916-1917; Russia
Date of Recording: 06/1987
Venue: Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
Length: 20 Minutes 57 Secs.
2.
Concerto for Violin no 2 in G minor, Op. 63 by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Frank Peter Zimmermann (Violin)
Conductor:
Mariss Jansons
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1935; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 10/1991
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio 1, London, England
Length: 26 Minutes 45 Secs.
3.
Sonata for Violin and Piano no 2 in D major, Op. 94bis by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Alexander Lonquich (Piano),
Frank Peter Zimmermann (Violin)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944; USSR
Venue: Landgasthof, Riehen, Basel, Switzerland
Length: 23 Minutes 32 Secs.
Notes: Landgasthof, Riehen, Basel, Switzerland (11/1987 - 12/1987)
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