Dmitry’s violin
Over the past few days I have listened and studied the Concerto #1 for Violin and orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Like many compositions written after 1900 or so, this music requires study and repeated listening if one expects to discover its special moments. The work was dedicated to the Russian violinist David Oistrakh, who helped the composer with a number of revisions. The structure of the concerto is as follows:
1. Nocturne: Moderato – Slow, thoughtful, often sad and contemplative
2. Scherzo: Allegro – A sparkling dance
3. Passacaglia: Andante – Again slower tempo and reflective, followed by a long cadenza
4. Burlesque: Allegro con brio – Presto
The more I listen to this music the more I like it; in some areas it has a distinct Jewish flavor. The composer was known for being intrigued by the ability of Jewish music to feature great Joy, and then move to express great sorrow.
Hilary Hahn plays this music beautifully, passionately, and with great commitment. Her virtuosity is always phenomenal. Her expressiveness is excellent, and she shows astounding capability to pull off the amazing technical difficulties of the second and final movements.
An unexpected treasure of this DVD is the Dvorak Eighth symphony. While Dvorak’s 9th is so well known, the 8th is also very beautiful and filled with glowing, idiomatic, strikingly dramatic and thoroughly musical inventiveness. Mariss Jansons leads the Berlin Philharmonic in a truly delightful performance.
DVD Release Date: March 29, 2011
Here is Hilary Hahn in the Shostakovich Violin Concerto #1
Tags: Hilary Hahn, Shostakovich, Violin concerto,