Othmar Schoeck; Alexander Glazunov - Violin Concertos (Chloë Hanslip)

Information

Composer: Othmar Schoeck; Alexander Glazunov

• Glazunov - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
• Glazunov - Meditation in D major, Op. 32
• Glazunov - Mazurka-oberek in D major
• Schoeck - Concerto quasi una fantasia in B flat major, Op. 21

Chloë Hanslip, violin

Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana

Alexander Vedernikov, conductor

Date: 2013

Label: Hyperion

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Review

Chloë Hanslip continues here her admirable record in exploring little-known corners of the violin’s repertory. Othmar Schoeck’s Concerto of 1911 12 was written for the Hungarian violinist Stefi Geyer, who also inspired Bartók’s First Concerto – for both composers the inspiration was associated with a romantic attachment. Schoeck’s Concerto is, indeed, highly romantic but in a subtle, refined way; the tone is predominantly intimate and lyrical, though a darker mood appears at the start of the central Grave. It’s a fascinating work but uneven – the finale, attempting a lighter style, is let down by material that’s somewhat trivial and mundane. Hanslip gives a most convincing performance; her unobtrusive musicianship, with subtle variations in tone to match the emotional colour of each phrase, is admirably suited to the music’s refined expressiveness. Throughout the disc, the orchestral contribution is splendidly clear and well balanced.

Hanslip is also persuasive in the Glazunov Concerto. There have been many fine recordings over the years, from Heifetz onwards, and I wouldn’t put this quite at the top of my list. Of recent versions, Julia Fischer is more forceful and compelling, and the Russian National Orchestra help to give her recording a more authentic feel. Nikolaj Znaider provides high virtuosity as well as a superbly integrated performance with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra under Mariss Jansons. But Hanslip’s is still a fine account – in particular, the purity and neatness of her playing bring an effortless sparkle to the concerto’s finale. The two shorter Glazunov pieces are also beautifully done.

— Duncan Druce

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Othmar Schoeck (1 September 1886 – 8 March 1957) was a Swiss Romantic composer and conductor known for his extensive output of art songs. He studied at the Zurich and Leipzig conservatories under Friedrich Hegar and Max Reger. Based in Zurich, he worked as a composer, accompanist, and for over 20 years, chief conductor of the City Orchestra of St. Gallen. His notable works include the opera Penthesilea and concertos for violin, cello and horn. Schoeck's music was championed by renowned conductors and singers of his time, and in recent years, his work has seen renewed international recognition.

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Alexander Glazunov (10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer, conductor and teacher. He was a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and was supported by influential patron and publisher Mitrofan Belyayev. He taught at the St. Petersburg Conservatory from 1899 and served as its director from 1905 to 1930, though he spent his final years abroad, mostly in Paris. Glazunov composed nine symphonies, ballets like Raymonda and The Seasons, a violin concerto, chamber music, and salon-style piano works. Though less popular today, some pieces like Stenka Razin remain in the Russian concert repertoire.

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Chloë Hanslip (born 28 September 1987) is a British classical violinist. She studied with Natasha Boyarskaya at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Zakhar Bron in Germany, and also received guidance from Shlomo Mintz, Ida Haendel, Salvatore Accardo, Ruggiero Ricci and Maxim Vengerov. At 13 she was the youngest recording artist ever to be signed to Warner Classics UK. She made her BBC Proms debut at 14, her US concerto debut at 15, and has performed at major venues in the UK, Europe, as well as Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Arts Space in Tokyo and the Seoul Arts Centre. Hanslip plays a 1737 Guarneri del Gesù violin.

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