Performances of
Stravinsky
's
Violin Concerto in D major
of 1931 aren't as abundant as one would think for a mature concerto by a major-name composer. That is because the composer, although writing for the virtuoso
Samuel Dushkin
, avoided virtuoso elements in favor of a texture in which the violin blends in with the orchestra, shading it in subtle ways. The work was and remains perhaps unsatisfying for violinists who like the spotlight, but in the right hands, it is one of
's most complex neoclassic scores. It receives a sterling performance here from
James Ehnes
and the
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
under conductor
Andrew Davis
on this 2024 release.
Ehnes
, with his clean, somewhat reserved style, is perhaps the perfect artist for this concerto, and he leads the listener effectively into the work's complexities. Everything is perfectly balanced, and
Davis
leaves
room for some lightly lyrical phrasing. The program is filled out with other
works from the same period: two Suites drawn from the
Cinq pièces faciles for piano four hands
and orchestrated, and the short ballet
Apollon Musagète
, particularly sylph-like in
' hands. For a deep immersion into
's neoclassic style, this is an exceptionally rewarding release. It made classical best-seller charts in early 2024. ~ James Manheim