- Violin Concerto in D minor
Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto was composed in 1940, and dedicated to David Oistrakh who gave the premiere in Moscow that year. It is an interesting work, filled with the music of the composer’s native Armenia.
Shostakovich’s 15 string quartets represent an important set of chamber music compositions. The 7th Quartet dates from 1960, and it is dedicated to the composer’s wife Nina, who had died in 1954. It is a highly emotional personal musical statement.
The 8th quartet is one of the most impressive in the group, and also dates from 1960. It was premiered in Dresden, a German city still badly scarred by the bombing of 1945.
Tracks on this CD are as follows:
Khachaturian:
- Violin Concerto in D minor, performed by James Ehnes (violin), with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mark Wigglesworth conducting.
Shostakovich:
- String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108, performed by the Ehnes Quartet.
- String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, performed by the Ehnes Quartet.
Here is the Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto, as performed David Oistrakh, violin, with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Gauk, conductor:
And next, here is an interesting montage of Oistrakh and Leonid Kogan playing this same violin concerto:
But, after all, this CD is about James Ehnes; so here is Mr. Ehnes performing the Sibelius concerto:
Tags: James Ehnes, Khachaturian violin concerto, Shostakovich, string quartets
