Both of Glazunov’s concertos are late works, little known in today’s concert halls. They do not deserve their neglect. No less a musical luminary than Donald Francis Tovey wrote one of his famous program notes on behalf of the F minor concerto, a resourceful work that combines a turbulent opening movement with a lengthy theme and variations finale that’s quite memorable (there’s a Chopinesque mazurka in there that’s a show-stopper). The second concerto, on the other hand, is an all-in-one-movement piece not much longer than 20 minutes. It’s easy on the ear, sounds like fun to play, and would make a great competition piece. Oxana Yablonskaya plays with more poetry than passion. I could imagine a stronger profile given to some of the variations in the first concerto’s finale, and while technically assured, she’s a bit lacking in sheer power. This undermines the bravura finish of both works, despite the best efforts of son/conductor Dmitry Yablonsky, who offers excellent support. However, given the fact that she’s never less than respectable, and also that there’s little or no competition in this music, this disc certainly deserves a recommendation, especially at the low price. The coupled Variations on a Russian Theme is an entertaining, collaborative occasional work with a finale by Glazunov that also takes in music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Lyadov, Sokolov, and Artsybushev. Rimsky’s daughter selected the charming principal tune from a folk music collection. It’s smashingly performed, and the recorded sound in general is good, though the piano’s tone is a bit wooden.
