Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto [Chung/ Previn-London Symphony Orchestra]
In the 'bright' key of D Major, and yet sounds as if it's in a minor key, unlike the Mendelssohn [E Minor], and the Bruch 1 [G Minor], which both 'sound' as if they're in a major key, how Tchaikovsky can bring out the sadness in so many compositions, this concerto is a great vehicle for virtuosity, especially the last movement, i've also got Chung's Tchaikovsky Concerto with Dutoit, though i need to listen to both more to tell the difference, but this Concerto is masterly in the hands of Chung, and a delight to listen to today, also in my Blog from early 2011 [11th March 2012].
Kyung-Wha Chung is South Korean, she's now 64, and she made this recording in 1970, Decca have re-released her back catalogue on a wonderful series, each has a full close up of Chung, with a couple of Concertos apiece, they're wonderful to collect, the front booklet photography [by Susesch Bayat] is excellent, a lovely well lit portrait, really stands out on a black background, i like this series a lot, and i have most of them.
The first movement is tremendous, lasting longer than the other two movements put together [nearly 19 minutes], Tchaikovsky slowly weaves the themes at the beginning, it's the sad counter refrain that i find so sad yet beautiful [3:16-4:15], the chugging build up is nicely done [5:22-6:04], and of course the eventual orchestral explosion afterwards [6:25-7:01], in the style of a military march, i love the way Chung spins the solo work [7:52-8:58], creating a real sense of Russian pathos, and culminating another Tchaikovsky orchestral explosion / forte [9:03-9:55], which merges into the cadenza [9:47+], which Chung takes quite slow and thoughtful, and i like the cadenza ending, which nicely melds into the orchestra as well [12:29+], Chung plays the aching refrain with real tenderness [14:54+], working it into the high treble in such a magical way, the ending is such a delight, another great vehicle for virtuosity, and you can just feel the 'finale' vibe there, tremendous fast bowing [16:24+], and Tchaikovsky gives a nice satisfying culmination to everything that's gone before [18:10-18:47], now that's the way a Violin Concerto should sound!.
Here's Janine Jansen playing the first movement on YouTube.
Kyung-Wha Chung is South Korean, she's now 64, and she made this recording in 1970, Decca have re-released her back catalogue on a wonderful series, each has a full close up of Chung, with a couple of Concertos apiece, they're wonderful to collect, the front booklet photography [by Susesch Bayat] is excellent, a lovely well lit portrait, really stands out on a black background, i like this series a lot, and i have most of them.
The first movement is tremendous, lasting longer than the other two movements put together [nearly 19 minutes], Tchaikovsky slowly weaves the themes at the beginning, it's the sad counter refrain that i find so sad yet beautiful [3:16-4:15], the chugging build up is nicely done [5:22-6:04], and of course the eventual orchestral explosion afterwards [6:25-7:01], in the style of a military march, i love the way Chung spins the solo work [7:52-8:58], creating a real sense of Russian pathos, and culminating another Tchaikovsky orchestral explosion / forte [9:03-9:55], which merges into the cadenza [9:47+], which Chung takes quite slow and thoughtful, and i like the cadenza ending, which nicely melds into the orchestra as well [12:29+], Chung plays the aching refrain with real tenderness [14:54+], working it into the high treble in such a magical way, the ending is such a delight, another great vehicle for virtuosity, and you can just feel the 'finale' vibe there, tremendous fast bowing [16:24+], and Tchaikovsky gives a nice satisfying culmination to everything that's gone before [18:10-18:47], now that's the way a Violin Concerto should sound!.
Here's Janine Jansen playing the first movement on YouTube.
