This is a must-have record. There, I’ve said it
Album Of The WeekFrom the Lebrecht Album of the Week:
… Kremer’s commitment to playing the violin at an age, 76, when most colleagues have long turned to conducting shows how closely he regards the instrument as his personal voice. Down the decades, his tone has mellowed from Moscow-tooled precisionism to a round, all-embracing warmth. This austere and uplifting record is imbued with humanity and idealism. I don’t think I ever recommend a new record as essential. This one is.
Read on here.
And here.
En francais ici.
I thought I knew the Sibelius violin concerto, and then Kremer came to play it with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Some members of the orchestra were surprised he was using music, but then, in the first movement cadenza and immediately afterwards, there was an emotional depth to his playing that I had never encountered with this work, and it shattered me. Will never forget the experience, or his personal kindness. A titanic musician. Only wish he would come to the states more often than he does.
Have you heard Tossy Spivakovsky play it?
How often do great violinists age so well? Off the top of my head I can only think of Milstein and Kremer. Others?
I’ve always wondered who, besides himself I guess, could bear his sound or brusqeness. (And I’m a big Szgeti fan.)
Now I know. Thanks.
This world needs more Gidon Kremers, then it would be more musical, more peaceful, more human.
I am absolutely persuaded by this review. I don’t think that often of a record review.
He’s an amazing musician because he is also an amazing human being. He embodies the whole picture of what a great artist should be.
I heartily agree with Ich bin Ereignis.
I had the opportunity to speak to maestro Kremer last Friday night in Berlin after a stupendous recital in the Boulez Saal by his pianist protege and fellow Latvian, Georgijs Osokins.
It was not just Kremer’s vast musical knowledge which impressed, but his overall humanity, humility and Puck-ish good humour which created the strongest impression.
He was also very chuffed at Mr Lebrecht’s laudatory review of his “Songs of Fate” CD which had just been posted.
By way of postscriptum, it is now 27 years since the indefatigable violinist founded his eponymous Baltica ensemble.
The fact that this outstanding chamber orchestra has maintained its apogee of artistic excellence and original repertoire planning is an ongoing testament to its inspiring founder.
Bravissimo Gidon.
“In Riga, he grew up with Soviet anti-semitism and the suppression of Baltic national identities…” Oh, here comes the mandatory victimizing disclaimer. I do not really buy such nonsense when it comes to one of the Soviet pet artists, but I really like his Piazzola CD that I have. And nothing else matters.