COMPOSERS: Chopin,Karlowicz,Mlynarksi
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Mlynarksi: Violin Concerto No. 2 in D, Op. 6; Karlowicz: Violin Concerto in A, Op. 8; Chopin arr. K. Debski
PERFORMER: Nigel Kennedy (violin); Polish Chamber Orchestra/Jacek Kaspszyk
CATALOGUE NO: 379 9349
Mlynarski’s superbly romantic Violin Concerto is a real find that Nigel Kennedy has done much to champion.
In both the recording of the concert, complete with solo encores, and the accompanying documentary there is no doubting Nigel Kennedy’s deep involvement with this repertoire, as much to the fore in the performance of the Karlowicz Concerto, nor his rapport with the orchestra and audience.
The manic rapid cutting between shots during the concert results in a slight disjunction between what we are hearing and seeing which is slightly distracting.
The documentary, entitled The Adventure, coordinates Kennedy’s passionate views, mainly of the Mlynarski, with commentary from the recording producer, conductor and orchestra members.
Kennedy engagingly retails the fortuitous circumstances under which he came to the Mlynarski Concerto and there are some atmospheric shots of the Tatra’s much beloved of Karlowicz.
Having mentioned that unexpected creative developments happened in rehearsals, it is a pity we do not see more of these.
In all, it is on the repetitive side – there are only so many times you can express surprise at how little known this music is even in Poland – and it would have been nice to have learned more about both composers. Jan Smaczny