Search - Johannes Brahms, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert :: Works For Violin & Piano

A Dazzlingly Gifted Violinist Quietly Rising to Stardom

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Appearing on a recent program as soloist in the Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic was one Lisa Batiashvili, a name unfamiliar to most of us in the audience, but a performer who seems to have it all - technical virtuosity to burn, glorious tone, seamless phrasing, and intense musicality coupled with a beautiful stage presence that immediately wins an audience. Here is a young (still in her twenties) Russian artist from Georgia who has appeared with most major orchestras of the world but has yet to record - except for a couple of rare recordings. This recording, made when she was known as Elisabeth Batiashvili, is a fine hint of her talent.



Coupled with her frequent collaborator Milana Chernyavska she offers a highly focused, richly musical performance of Brahms' Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano and the Rondo in b, Opus 70 of Schubert. Her presence in this repertoire is palpably comfortable, her musical integrity is unquestionable, and her communication of both of these works is of the highest order.



But to get a taste of this young firebrand's talent pay close attention to her impeccable reading of the Bach Partita No. 1 for solo violin. Her technique is extraordinary and the rapturously beautiful tone she produces from her Engleman Stradivarius is in a world of its own. Recommendation: obtain this difficult to find recording if you can, as this represents the introduction on record of a brilliant light on the concert horizon! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 06"