Sony’s reissue of Midori’s Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto reveals a musical sophistication that belies the violinist’s then-teenage status. Hers is a fully formed interpretation mating virtuoso bravura to keen sensitivity and solid musicianship, making for a performance that is as intellectually satisfying as it is exciting. Listen to her rich, solid tone throughout, and notice her winning confidence in the work’s more challenging passages, particularly the famous cadenza and the whirlwind finale.
Midori’s Shostakovich Concerto No. 1 also is highly accomplished. Again she surprises with her musical maturity and ability to communicate the music’s emotional impact, even though she doesn’t quite match the profound dark cast and solemnity of Oistrakh and Mordkovitch, who offer truly enthralling renditions. Claudio Abbado leads first-rate accompaniments with the Berlin Philharmonic, although Sony’s live recordings suffer from narrow dynamics and (in the Tchaikovsky) a somewhat opaque sound image. Of the “bonus tracks”, the violin/piano arrangements of the two Shostakovich preludes (from Op. 24) prove the most interesting. Midori fans will be pleased, as will those who are hearing this for the first time.
