Here, for the first time on CD, are Boris Belkin’s sizzling accounts of the two Prokofiev Concertos. Kirill Kondrashin was meant to conduct them both but his untimely death meant that Rudolf Barshai had to step onto the podium to conduct the Second. As a coupling you have a veritable Hi-Fi Spectacular – few recordings of the ‘Love for Three Oranges’ suite have been delivered with as much swagger or with such thrilling sound as this recording by Walter Weller. Only momentarily available on CD, it now reappears to join Belkin’s classic recordings of the Violin Concertos.
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 19*
Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63**
Love for Three Oranges: Suite, Op. 33a***
Boris Belkin, violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kirill Kondarshin*
Rudolf Barshai**
Walter Weller***
VIOLIN CONCERTOS: FIRST RELEASE ON CD
Recording producers: Michael Haas (Concertos); Richard Beswick (Love for Three Oranges)
Recording engineers: Stan Goodall (Concertos); Kenneth Wilkinson, Simon Eadon (Love for Three Oranges)
Recording locations: Kingsway Hall, London, January 1981 (No. 1), January 1982 (No. 2); November 1977 (Love for Three Oranges)
‘The excitement in the orchestral playing is noticeable, so different from some of the bland, dull playing we often have to suffer on modern releases… The playing is first class, with sweetness of tone in full measure for the earlier of the two concertos. The second concerto is scored for full orchestra, minus timpani replaced by bass drum. The work is fully realised and played very effectively by the young soloist. I have had much pleasure from this disc and will be returning to it regularly. I highly recommend it’ Musicweb International
‘Belkin’s playing style – a mixture of lean, sinewy articulation and silky smooth tone – ideally suits the Prokofiev concertos’ ClassicsToday.com
‘The playing is first class … I have had much pleasure from this disc and will be returning to it regularly. I highly recommend it’ MusicWeb