CD Review
Brahms / Mozart: Violin Concerto / Violin Concerto No.3
- Composer
- Brahms / Mozart
- Artist
- Julian Rachlin, violin; Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Mariss Jansons
- Label
- Warner Classics
- Catalogue
- 2564 61561-2
- Reviewed by
- Sandy Matheson
Although Julian Rachlin has been a presence on the international circuit for some years now, perhaps he needs an introduction. He’s Lithuanian, 30 years old, and won the Eurovision Young Musician of the Year Award when he was 18. Around the same time, he recorded a very impressive Sibelius Violin Concerto with Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (for Sony). He made two further recordings for Sony, but has not been active in the recording studios for some time. Now, with his new record label, he has recorded the Brahms Violin Concerto along with the Mozart G major.
One of the most remarkable features of his playing (it was evident in his Sibelius) is his ability to play pianissimo without any loss of colour. Try him in the final phrase of the slow movement of K216, magical. Most violinists, reasonably enough, opt to direct Mozart concertos from the fiddle. Rachlin is partnered by Mariss Jansons, making (as far as I am aware) his first recording of Mozart. He coaxes sophisticated, stylish, thoroughly alert playing from his Bavarian orchestra, there’s a particularly gorgeous response from his oboes. Rachlin’s playing is somewhat reminiscent of his some-time teacher, Pinchas Zukerman; there’s the same tight vibrato and easy command of line. It’s all perfectly in scale, too; he never forgets which century Mozart lived in.
The Brahms is superb; Rachlin and Jansons have a unanimity of view (a rarer occurrence than one might think in recordings of this piece) and once again the Bavarians distinguish themselves. Although the recording places Rachlin very much centre stage, the orchestral sound is hardly relegated to the background. Great stuff, this is one of the most impressive concerto recordings of the year.
A note on this page
Originally published by Sandy Matheson, recovered from mmmusic's own archive and reproduced here as the critic wrote it.
Questions about this recording
Who is Julian Rachlin?
A Lithuanian violinist who won the Eurovision Young Musician of the Year Award at 18, and who had earlier recorded an acclaimed Sibelius Violin Concerto with Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for Sony before moving to a new label for this Brahms/Mozart pairing.
Why pair the Brahms Violin Concerto with Mozart's Third?
It's a common concert and recording pairing, contrasting Mozart's Classical-era concerto with Brahms's much larger-scaled Romantic one. Here, Rachlin is directed throughout by Mariss Jansons rather than self-directing the Mozart from the violin, which is Jansons's first recorded Mozart.
What's distinctive about Rachlin's playing on this disc?
His ability to play pianissimo without any loss of tone colour, already notable on his earlier Sibelius recording, the review singles out the final phrase of the Mozart's slow movement as a highlight. His sound is described as somewhat reminiscent of his one-time teacher, Pinchas Zukerman.
Is this recording still available to buy?
Yes, Warner Classics' catalogue number 2564 61561-2 remains findable through classical retailers. We don't run an in-house shop, so we link out to Amazon and Discogs below.
