Bartok - Violin Concerto No.2; Rhapsodies Nos.1 and 2 for Violin and Orchestra

Bela BARTOK (1881-1945)

Violin Concerto No.2*

Rhapsody No.1 for Violin and Orchestra

Rhapsody No.2 for Violin and Orchestra

Kyoko Takezawa (Violin)

London Symphony Orchestra

Michael Tilson Thomas 

Recorded *November 20, 1992, and May 12-1, 1993, 

at Abbey Road Studio 1, London

Kyoko Takezawa is one of the most sensitive musicians among violinists performing today. It's a great shame that her recording association with RCA has ended. She doesn't play with a gigantic tone, but her phrasing and articulation are second to none. Her performance of the Bartok Concerto is highly appealing. She doesn't lay on the Hungarian goulash elements. Rather, her performance is subtle and full of nuances. She can be discursive and detail oriented without compromising the structure of the piece. She is greatly helped by Tilson Thomas, whose accompaniment is full of vigor and brilliant sonorities. The two Rhapsodies, somewhat more accessible music than the Concerto, go extremely well, too. Add to that excellent sound engineering, and you have a Bartok recording that ranks with Szeryng and Menuhin in the Concerto.