Review: Radulovic Performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

Nemanja Radulovic’s third album for Deutsche Grammophon includes two old warhorses. The first is in its original installment and the other with an interesting twist  – an adaptation of the familiar Rococo Variations for Cello and orchestra to a new version for viola, string orchestra and piano.

The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is altogether enthralling. Radulovic sounds spontaneous from start to finish, with an “old-fashioned” glissandi and generous vibrato, which ads to the excitement. It’s almost inevitable to compare the new version of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto to another one on Deutsche Grammophon, the much-respected performance by Lisa Batiashvili, with the Staatskapelle Berlin under Daniel Barenboim. In direct comparison to the newer version, Batiashvili sounds tamed, even cold.

As for the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra which accompanies under Sascha Goetzel, it’s one of the most pleasant surprises I remember in recent years. They are not polished as the Berliners, but compensates with a lovely sweet tone in the string section, and some outstanding wind playing throughout. Soloist and orchestra seem to play for enjoyment and real love for this music, and listeners are lucky to share the experience. Try the beginning of the second movement and see if you can remain cold.

The Rococo variations in its adaptation to Viola by Yvan Cassar is an interesting addition. Like in Radulovic’s Bach album, which included a wonderful orchestration of the Chaconne for violin solo, it gives another dimension to a much played and adapted piece. There is one inspirational moment, that holds its own whatever the orchestration is — The sixth variation, orchestrated as a violin piece with string pizzicato and piano accompaniment. Luckily the Deutsche Grammophon video team caught the recording session and it can be seen here:

The recording, especially in the Concerto, only adds to the excitement — It sounds like one is in a good sit in a resonant concert hall — not too detailed, not too cloudy, with a great dynamic range. The Rococo is a bit more clinical, but is suitable to the more intimate orchestration. Great triumph then in the Concerto, with other old warhorses eagerly awaited.

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Tchaikovsky — Violin Concerto (1), Rococo Variations Arr. By Yvan Cassar (2)
Nemanja Radulovic — Violin (1), Viola (2)
Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (1), Double Sens (2)
Sascha Goetzel — Conductor
Deutsche Grammophon, CD 0289 479 8089 6