PENDERECKI: Violin Concerto No. 1; Horn Concerto (world premiere) – Robert Kabara, violin/ Radovan Vlatkovic, horn/ Sinfonietta Cracovia/ Krzystof Penderecki, conductor – Channel Classics multichannel SACD CCS SA 30310, 59:23 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] ****:
Isaac Stern’s recording of this work with the Minnesota Orchestra remains a touchstone; though the 1977 piece was a marked turning point for the composer, abandoning his block chordal cluster style, it was still not an easy work to get used to despite its neo-romantic moniker applied by the critical press. In fact the work is a bastion of tragedy, relieved only slightly by the hopeful utterances of the solo violin. It was composed during a time when the composer’s father was on his deathbed, and Penderecki let every ounce of pathos ooze through his pen to the page. Robert Kabara does a fine job with this work, probably eclipsing Stern (though his recording will always be significant) and enjoying the added reflections of 30 years with the work behind us.
The Horn Concerto is new (2008) and the differences in tone could not be more different; the notes suggest a struggle with the will of God with the violin concerto while the horn offers a joyful submission. Whatever the truth is, this is a very joyful piece, almost Haydnesque in spirit while drawing on the horn’s tunefulness and hunting origins. It is not left alone by the orchestra, but partners it in a joint effort to see who can create the most engaging melody, an attempt that ultimately fails because neither can compete without the integral involvement of the other. Spirited, lively, and smile-provoking, this one is destined for greatness and a firm repertory status, made sure by the terrific playing of Radovan Vlatkovic.
The Sinfonietta Cracovia play like champs under the direction of the composer, and Channel’s sound is front-row vivid in its impact. This is a winner.
— Steven Ritter
