Nikolai Myaskovsky (1881-1950)
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 44
Mieczyslaw Vainberg (1919-1996)
Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 67

Ilya Grubert, solo violin
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Dmitry Yablonsky, conductor
Naxos 8.557194 [66:49]

These are two exceptional violin concertos very different from one
another in terms of architecture and aesthetics.  I already knew that
I loved the Vainberg Concerto but was bowled over by the wonderful
Myaskovsky effort.  It's a three-movement work with a spacious/20 minute
first movement that's a huge accomplishment.  I never knew that Myaskovsky
could deliver such an abundance of musical inventiveness and variety,
and the Violin Concerto is the best Myaskovsky work I have heard to date.

The performances are superb, and the price tag is low.  I compared the
Myaskovsky to an alternative version played by Repin and conducted by
Gergiev.  It is just as fine as the higher priced Repin, and the Vainberg
is a more adventurous coupling than the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
offered by Repin/Gergiev.  Don't think about acquiring this Naxos disc
- just get it.

Don Satz
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