BaL 14.01.23 - Prokofiev: Violin Concerto no. 2

[Bryn]

My introduction to this work was a sadly unavailable CfP recording by Maurice Hasson. It had an unusual coupling of Paganini’s First concerto. Hasson was a pupil of Szeryng who thought very highly of him. He recorded the Bruch g minor and the Scottish Fantasy with Sir Alex Gibson and the SNO which, again sadly, have never been released on cd.

Sadly, the only CD release I have been able to find of Maurice Hasson is of the Bach Violin Concertos in a triple CD set with the Brandenburgs and Orchestral Suites. However, it does have the great advantage of featuring both Hasson and his teacher in the double concerto. The concertos can be found on QOBUZ. The triple CD set CD is no longer in the catalogue but can be found, at a price.

[Pulcinella]

Sadly, the only CD release I have been able to find of Maurice Hasson is of the Bach Violin Concertos in a triple CD set with the Brandenburgs and Orchestral Suites. However, it does have the great advantage of featuring both Hasson and his teacher in the double concerto. The concertos can be found on QOBUZ. The triple CD set CD is no longer in the catalogue but can be found, at a price.

It's available singly as a Presto CD/download in two incarnations, and as part of a 2CD set, too, Bryn:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8050256--js-bach-violin-concertos

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8079868--js-bach-violin-concertos

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7930574--js-bach-orchestral-suites-violin-concertos

[antongould]

One of my very favourite concertos!

Mr. Heifetz is without equal in this work, the second movement being a super masterclass in legato playing. Other players are available…

Couldn’t agree more …….. DID stuff

[Barbirollians]

I am glad that Ben Gernon is described as choosing his favourite not the best .

In that spirit I would choose Chung/Previn and Shaham /Previn whilst recognising Heifetz is supreme in this work.

[BBMmk2]

I have Vengerov, in that box set that was published a few years ago.

[Pulcinella]

Here's a link to the Shaham/LSO/Previn version with score.
I'll post on the YouTube with score thread too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO5aPEhlSK4

[mikealdren]

Heifetz is really unique in this work, very fast in the slow movement but he really makes it work. Not the only way to play it and probably not a library choice but you have to hear it.

[Darloboy]

Only covered by BaL as an individual work once before - in March 2003, when Rob Cowan chose Heifetz/Boston SO/Munch. There was a programme by Paul Griffiths on both violin concertos in October 1984 but I'm afraid I don't know what he chose.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Chung/LSO/Previn [10'52", 9'55", 6'16"]
Heifetz/BSO/Munch [8'58, 7'56", 6'01"]
Sitkovetsky/LSO/Colin Davis [11'11", 9'30", 5'51"]
Stern/Philadelphia O/Ormandy [10'25", 9'31", 6'01"]
here, as well as the BBC MM CD of a 1936 performance by the violinist for whom it was composed:
Soetens/BBCSO/Wood [10'04", 9'22", 6'05"]

Chung and Stern are my 'go-to' versions.

Amazed to find that I could not easily track down a modern version in my collection, although the Soetens is there, I picked up the Chung for £1 yesterday in a local Trussell Trust shop.

[mikealdren]

I’ve Just been listening to some of the more recent recordings I have - fascinating.

I started with just the first movement and beginning with Pat Kop was not a good idea, others tend to sound very bland after her. Huge imagination and extreme contrasts, especially between the (very) spiky and (ultra) lyrical sections. A very well-balanced recording and very well accompanied.
Following on, Mullova seemed very strait laced. Lovely playing in the Oistrakh tradition.
Vadim Repin played well with great virtuosity, but a bit lacking in individual character.
Sadly, for me, Vengerov was just too indulgent in the more lyrical passages (encouraged by Rostropovich?)
Tianwa Yang, like Mullova, very good but nothing special.
Janine Jansen, like Pat Kop takes no prisoners, totally committed and forward balanced, she is happy to sacrifice tonal beauty for the overall effect and it is very effective.
Gill Shaham starts extremely beautifully and plays very well, he could take more time in places but it’s very good.

The slow movement shows the Heifetz influence with most players following his speed which once seemed so fast. Pat Kop is actually as fast as Heifetz and her hushed tone at the start is very effective and Repin is only very slightly slower with Jansen, Yang and Shaham take more of a middle ground.
Unlike Kop, Repin plays it straight and there is no real atmosphere.
Jansen, like Pat Kop is hushed at the start but the effect is spoilt with her close balance. She plays with great emotion.
Yang is wistful and full of character.
Shaham is just a bit too ‘present’ at the start although its still lovely, sweet toned playing.
Mullova plays slowly and it’s lovely too, it also allows her to speed up slightly for the 2nd subject, all very natural and unforced.
Vengerov also plays slowly, perhaps too slowly because his slow vibrato becomes intrusive in sustaining a large tone.

The final movement tends to cement my views of the performances.
Jansen is trenchant and highly characterised. The orchestra is excellent with lots if fine detail but the recording is very close so quieter passage lose some of their effect.
Pat Kop’s recording is more distantly balanced. She is constantly looking for, and finding, new colours and effects and, whether you like it not, you must hear this one.
Yang has less forward propulsion and is more lyrical, it’s a very successful performance although the orchestra, though good, is not of the highest standard
Gill Shaham is very rhythmic and the orchestra and recording are very good.
Repin plays in what I am beginning to think is a Russian style, well it’s hardly surprising. It’s all very accurate but it doesn’t really convince me.
Vengerov starts with very pointed ‘held’ back’ beats. Perhaps a bit mannered again?
Mullova plays well again but, whereas I once thought it a fine performance, I prefer Pat Kop and Jansen.

At the end, I sampled the Heifetz performances, his early version with Koussevitzsky is too old a recording but his later version with Munch still compares very well.
Francescatti, Kogan, Oistrakh, Dimitry Sitkovetsky, Stern and Szeryng will have to wait for another day!

[Ein Heldenleben]

One of my very favourite concertos!

Mr. Heifetz is without equal in this work, the second movement being a super masterclass in legato playing. Other players are available…

On the evidence so far I tend to agree. The difference in tone quality (not just tempo) between Heifetz and Stern in the Andante was , shall we say, marked. The core of Heifetz’s tone is so remarkable. Is it bowing ? What is it ?

[Bryn]

On the evidence so far I tend to agree. The difference in tone quality (not just tempo) between Heifetz and Stern in the Andante was , shall we say, marked. The core of Heifetz’s tone is so remarkable. Is it bowing ? What is it ?

Frankly, I found Stern's vibrato way too emetic.

[Barbirollians]

I don’t really get James Ehnes . He is like Joshua Bell for me - plays wonderfully but doesn’t really ever move me.

He has close connections with the BBC Phil I think like Gernon. Perhaps you get to prefer recordings by soloists you know and have worked with ?

[Pulcinella]

Frankly, I found Stern's vibrato way too emetic.

I'm not at home at present (or have other access) so need to check later, but I don't think that the Stern/Philadelphia/Ormandy version that I have has such a purgative effect!
Chung sadly not considered.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I don’t really get James Ehnes . He is like Joshua Bell for me - plays wonderfully but doesn’t really ever move me.

Absolutely right.