Review Summary: "I hope that those who listen to this album experience the emotional satisfaction that i felt when i first heard Tchaikovsky's music and still feel as I continue to explore his unique musical language" - Esther Yoo
Two of Tchaikovsky's solo violin works resulted from his friendship with violinist Yosif Kotek, who was also one of his composition students. The opening meandering theme is heard only once, taking no part in the movement's development. But it does hold the key to the concerto in that it stresses the lyrical nature of the work - the hallmark of both the two main subjects that follow, perhaps not as contrasted as they might be but affording the soloist not only the heights of virtuosity but also the most luscious melodies. Connected to the final movement both in the mood of Tchaikovsky's Russian homeland and their seamless join, the Canzonetta, in G minor, is introduced by a woodwind chorale. The violin is muted in this ternary-form movement, with a major-key middle section, before the woodwind chorale returns to be rudely interrupted by a frenetic rhythmic phrase which forms the opening of the first theme of the Finale, back to D. The second theme - more robust and deliberate - is in A, again in the form of Russian dance, and together these two themes carry the orchestra and soloist through to the breathtaking, headlong closing bars.
The violin solo in the first act is the second section in the Pas de Deux for merrymakers at the Prince's coming-of-age party. It is cast in the slow-fast style of a Hungarian czardas, the opening turns dark and tender, with various duets with other instruments. Ending with a solo trill and descending notes, the violin presents the gently accelerating faster section, jaunty and playful to the abrupt close. Finally, the Danse Russe starts arrestingly with a pirouetting solo rising and then falling in an early cadenza. It melts into the first moderately paced dance, ending with a series of arpeggiated quips that are taken up by the orchestra, before the latter introduces the more frenetic second dance, stratospherically higher for the violin, leading to the energetic close.
- About Esther Yoo - Violin Virtuoso
Esther Yoo first came to international attention as one of the youngest ever prizewinners both at the International Sibelius Violin Competition and the Queen Elisabeth Competition - and subsequently developed that reputation as a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist during 2014-2016, culminating in an acclaimed first performance at the BBC Proms. She now tours and performs with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, as well as in recitals, throughout Europe, South America, North America, and Asia - including notable debuts in London, New York, and Seoul.
Her journey as a recording artist began in 2015 with the release by DGG of her debut album of Sibelius and Glazunov violin concertos and shorter works. This album of works by Tchaikovsky represents her second recording collaboration with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy, with whom she has also undertaken several international tours.
Born and raised in the U.S. and Europe, Esther began playing the violin at the age of 4 and made her concerto debut aged 8. In 2006, she was given the First Prize in the Junior Section of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition and also the European Union Award for Music Art for Youth. Esther plays the 1704 "Prince Obolensky" Stradivarius, generously lent to her by a private collector.
