Gliere began composition of his unfinished violin concerto shortly before his death in 1956, a fact that comes as somewhat of a surprise considering it sounds considerably less “modern” than some of his earlier compositions (i.e., the Symphony No. 3 from 1910). Completed and orchestrated by Lyatoshinsky, the concerto constitutes a throwback to the lyrical-romantic style of Mendelssohn but also sounds markedly influenced by the Glazunov concerto. Thus, the solo writing is in the echt-19th century virtuoso vein, which seems to present no significant challenge for Yuko Nishino, who delivers the part with the requisite showmanship as well as a certain infectious ardor.
Those familiar with Gliere’s massive, phantasmagorical Third Symphony “Ilya Murometz” may be surprised by the pared down melodic style and harmonic palette of his Symphony No. 2. The first movement begins with a bold, commanding statement of what will become a main motto theme, and the rest of the movement maintains this stark, angry tone. However, the music becomes quite colorful at the climax of the development (as well as the slow movement’s magical central section), where we hear intriguing pre-echoes of the later symphony. Conductor Yondani Butt illuminates the music’s tragic grandeur, taking care to underline the insistent motto theme whenever it appears (most notably when the horns repeatedly hammer it out in the first-movement climax). Overall, Butt’s version has more raw energy than Edward Downes’ BBC Philharmonic performance, even if it lacks the latter’s polished finesse. ASV’s dry, close recording is less pleasing than the fuller, more spacious Chandos sound.
