Search - Boris Belkin, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1

Outstanding performance of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto.

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 12/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the years I have acquired a significant number of performances of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto but have found almost none which have fully satisfied me. Virtually all performances of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto I've heard have been technically sound, but most have failed to also incorporate both the artistic and emotional qualities which are present in virtually everything Tchaikovsky wrote. Many performances are quite virtuosic but lack artistry and emotion. On the other hand, some violinists have given lyrical performances which lack emotion and others have given emotional performances which lack artistry. This performance by Boris Belkin, a winner of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition, successfully -- and almost uniguely -- combines the artistry, emotion, and virtuosity which this concerto demands. I have critically listened to Belkin's performance several times and feel that it may well be the finest performance of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto I've ever heard.



I am not a Shostakovich fan and, therefore, cannot competently evaluate the Shostakovich concerto contained on this CD. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this CD for Belkin's superb performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto."