Lyapunov's Violin Concerto on Naxos

[Alan Howe]

Well, beggars can't really be choosers: there's no other modern performance available. Anyway, the violin playing is spectacularly good! A must-buy!

[Peter1953]

I am hoping it is better than the recently released recordings of the piano concertos which are a great disappointment both from the point of recording and performance and what a cheap trashy booklet cover!

Oh dear, I've just ordered this CD a few days ago.. I hope it's not too bad.

[Peter1953]

I cannot compare the Lyapunov PCs under Yablonsky (Naxos) with Brabbins (Hyperion), because I haven't got the Hyperion disc. Maybe that's the reason why I'm not disappointed. I think Shorena Tsintsabadze (try to pronounce her name...) did a good job. I don't like Hamish Milne's piano playing so much.
Now I'm awaiting the release of the Lyapunov VC.

[JimL]

I don't know what problem anyone could have with Milne's playing on the Hyperion disc.  I found his performances highly idiomatic, fully up to the formidable technical challenges and appropriately poetic where required.  I absolutely love the Ukrainian Rhapsody.  I have no need to get any other disc.

[sdtom]

I am hoping it is better than the recently released recordings of the piano concertos which are a great disappointment both from the point of recording and performance and what a cheap trashy booklet cover!

I can't say anything as I've no experience with Ponti or Hamish but I wouldn't say the cover was trashy.
Thomas

[JimL]

Well, I finally got this CD.  I must say I'm impressed with Fedotov's playing.  The concerto is similar to the Saint-Saëns VC 1 - a single sonata movement sandwiched around a contrasting slow section (with a sumptuous cadenza thrown in to boot).  I'm somewhat impressed with the Symphony 1 - a strong first effort, with some adroit orchestration.  Well, I've always found Lyapunov's strong point was his scoring.  I particularly like his use of the bass clarinet in several passages.

[Alan Howe]

The line of descent of the Lyapunov VC would seem to include the Arensky, Conus and Glazunov VCs - IIRC all one-movement pieces containing a variety of sections. Something of late-Romantic Russian speciality, maybe?

[JimL]

I actually edited out the Arensky and Glazunov concertos from my post, Alan.  The structure of the Lyapunov is somewhat more similar to the Glazunov, but Glazunov tacks on a thematically unrelated finale.  Arensky is also similar, but he adds on that waltz section after the slow 'movement'.  As I said, the overwhelming similarity, structurally, is with Saint Saëns' 1st, except for the cadenza (which makes it actually more similar to the Glazunov).

I actually ought to pick up the Arensky from Hyperion.  Doesn't it have a cadenza as well?  I can't remember.  And I wonder if the Lyapunov was also composed (as were the Arensky and Glazunov) for Leopold Auer?  I believe he was still around in 1915.

[eschiss1]

A partial manuscript (part of the first movement, up to page 35 of short score) at New York Public Library in their catalog mentions no dedication, fwiw. (The catalog entry- perhaps from a notation on the manuscript, as does happen; perhaps from external sources; I don't know- does mention that the original, unrevised version- remember that the concerto was revised in 1921- was premiered in Petrograd in 1916.)

[John]

I'm finding this concerto very enjoyable but not as memorable melodically as either of the piano concertos. But since others have speculated about influences, surely Sibelius' violin concerto is one?

[Alan Howe]

Welcome, John!
Personally, I don't hear any Sibelius in the piece, but that may be my fault. To me its nearest relative is Glazunov's VC.