Prokofiev: The Two Violin Concertos

Arabella Steinbacher (violin)

The Russian National Orchestra

PentaTone 2012

Prokofiev: The Two Violin Concertos

The forces of the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko need no introduction, but add to this the huge talent of violinist Arabella Steinbacher, this recording is one to listen out for. Arabella has already established herself as a performer on the international stage, and is appearing at the Royal Festival Hall later this season. Here she performs both of Prokofiev’s Violin Concertos, and couples it with the Sonata for Violin Solo in D Major Op. 115. Her previous releases for PentaTone have received fantastic praise and have all been Gramophone Editor’s Choices.

Tracklisting

Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 19
Russian National Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko

Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63
Russian National Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko

Sonata in D major for solo violin, Op. 115

Reviews

“admirers of this gifted young artist will need no second bidding to acquire this latest recording of hers, for she plays all three works with love and affection…my main criticism is the absence of any clearly defined musical leadership from either soloist or conductor” International Record Review, December 2012

“Steinbacher shapes the glorious melody in the opening movement [of the First] with great tenderness and affection and throughout the work there is a real sense of her interaction with conductor Vasily Petrenko and the highly responsive Russian National Orchestra. However the overall effect seems a little calculated…Steinbacher and Petrenko seem much more closely attuned to the emotionally ambiguous wolrd of the Second Violin Concerto” BBC Music Magazine, February 2013 ****

“There is fibre to the playing and theatrical highlights” The Strad

“Steinbacher sounds determined to rethink these repertoire staples. Eschewing the settled eloquence of a David Oistrakh, she varies her tonal projection to highlight Prokofiev’s tendency to step on the throat of his own song. The verdict? Better try before you buy, although audiophiles and surround sound aficionados should not hesitate.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2013