Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto in D, Sérénade mélancolique; Valse-Scherzo; Souvenir d’un lieu cher Julia Fischer, violin; Russian National Orchestra; Yakov Kreizburg, conductor PentaTone 5186 095 Format: Hybrid Multichannel SACD Released: 2006 by Rad Bennett radb@soundstage.com Musical Performance Recording Quality Overall Enjoyment

Though still in her early 20s, Julia Fischer has become a legend in her own short lifetime. Her recordings for PentaTone have covered a varied repertory, ranging from Bach to Prokofiev, yet all have received critical accolades. The young German-born violinist upholds her record with this lyrical, virtuoso recording of Tchaikovsky’s famous Violin Concerto in D. Her tempos are a bit slower than usual, but they don’t seem slow, as Fischer uses the extra space to delicately phrase passages that are often glossed over. The sound of her 1750 Jean Baptitste (Giovanni Battisa) Guadagnini violin is spun gold; the second movement of the concerto benefits from this and displays arch sentiment without becoming sentimental. Yakov Kreizberg and his excellent orchestra are not mere accompanists but stand as collaborators. The interplay between Fischer and solo woodwinds in the orchestra that occur in the first and last movements is hand-in-glove perfect.

The disc is filled out with some encores that are not heard too often, and these are played with the same care and lyricism lavished on the Concerto. Maestro Kreizberg lays down his baton to become a very fine piano accompanist in the Souvenir.

The recorded sound is warm, rich, and full, with excellent presence. The balance between soloist and orchestra is just right, as are the balances within the orchestra itself. I originally lauded PentaTone for re-releasing the 1970s quad recordings from the Philips catalog, but I now must recognize that the label’s new recordings demand just as much respect and investigation. This is as fine a recording of the Tchaikovsky Concerto as can be had, and surely the best in the SACD format.

• Current Month's Music Reviews
• Archived Music Reviews