Sibelius & Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos

The American violinist Gil Shaham’s career received a major boost when he stood in for an indisposed Itzhak Perlman with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1989. And it was to London that he returned, a major Deutsche Grammophon contract now under his belt, for this recording of two of the violin repertoire’s most popular concertos. Shaham’s performances are big and bold, the opening of the Sibelius Violin Concerto confident yet expressive, a warm heart amid the biting cold. The final movement is rhythmically taut, packed full of unexpected drama. The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is equally full of virtuosity and flair, its central “Canzonetta” breathtaking in its mournfulness. Shaham comes into his own in the rollicking finale, Sinopoli and the Philharmonia providing responsive support.