ARNOLD SCHOENBERG: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 36; JEAN SIBELIUS: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 47 – Hilary Hahn, violin/ Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Esa-Pekka Salonen – DGG B0010858-02 ***:
Hilary Hahn is a remarkable violinist. She achieves great tonal beauty, possesses uneeringly accurate intonation, exhibits masterful musicianship. She tames the formidably thorny Schoenberg Concerto, rendering it lyrical. Hahn emphasizes Schoenberg’s moments of whimsy and of pathos. The Concerto is bequeathed a romantic persona. Schoenberg’s flexible tone row “melodies” are caressed. This Op.38 Violin Concerto performance becomes a companion to the similarly illuminating Uchida/ Boulez recording (Philips 289 468 033-2) of the Op.42 Schoenberg Piano Concerto.
In Hahn’s hands the Sibelius Concerto asserts its rugged beauty while claiming 19th century Romantic status; hers is a performance of much breath and grandeur – ever poetic, capturing the intimacy of this virtuoso piece. The Swedish Radio Symphony Orcheatra under Esa-Pekka Salonen partners with Hilary Hahn seamlessly. The orchestra is refined, yet appropriately emphatic as needed.
As exciting as these performances are, I find the recording process significantly flawed. The microphone often appears to be within the sound holes of the violin, surrounded by an orchestra flattened against a one- dimensional inter-speaker aural perspective. One expects puffs of resin to appear from the speakers. Every scrape and thump of bow on string is audible, reminiscent of some of the legendary Heifitz recordings of the 1950s and 60s (Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Brahms Violin Concerto et.al.) The recorded presentation of Hahn’s violin is Heifetz-like in power and ferocity. [Because Heifetz demanded the aural spotlight on himself…Ed.]
These are terrific readings of masterpieces of the 20th century violin concerto repertory. The Sibelius harkens back to the 19th century virtuoso concerto, while the Schoenberg – perhaps the greater work -shatters the 19th century mold. An essential disc, but for the engineering.
— Ronald Legum
