Korngold and Nielsen – a very persuasive pairing
Jessica Duchen relishes two great yet contrasting 20th century concertos in winning performances
Korngold • Nielsen
Korngold: Violin Concerto in D;
Nielsen: Violin Concerto
Jiyoon Lee (violin); Odense Symphony Orchestra/ Kristiina Poska
Orchid Classics ORC100079 64:40 mins
There seems to be an explosion taking place over in the Korngold Violin Concerto department at present. Honestly, you wait for decades and then suddenly the floodgates open… The fact that violinists are finally taking in their droves to this heartfelt, colourful, melodic piece of 20th-century music speaks volumes in itself and this latest recording from Jiyoon Lee with the Odense Symphony Orchestra under Kristiina Poska is a fine addition to the growing roster.
Lee’s playing is full-toned, consistent and energetic, besides technically spot-on, and she brings out to excellent effect the first movement’s yearning character, and the mysterious byways of the second. The finale’s high-jinx are perhaps a little heavyfooted from the orchestra, but the soloist sounds as if she’s having the time of her life.
The team pairs the Korngold with what could be described as Denmark’s own national violin concerto: that by Nielsen – a wholesome muesli bar beside Korngold’s chocolate sundae. It’s a pairing that emerges as both suitable and interesting; each composer has a powerful language of his own and is experimenting with special effects in tonal language despite his era (Nielsen’s Concerto dates from 1912 and Korngold’s was premiered just after World War II, though some of its themes were jotted down considerably earlier and had been waiting for a good home).
In the Nielsen, the orchestral sound feels more at home: solid, open-hearted and earthy, it suits the composer’s unique admixture ideally. Lee again produces playing that rises to the Concerto’s many challenges, secure and persuasive throughout. Recorded sound is excellent. PERFORMANCE ★★★★ RECORDING ★★★★★
Jiyoon Lee’s playing is full-toned, consistent and energetic