Šostakovič, Prokofjev: Houslové koncerty - CD

This recording presents Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor and Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, performed by violinist Daniel Matejča with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra under conductor Tomáš Netopil. Matejča first conquered the prestigious Eurovision Young Musicians competition in 2022 at the age of 17 with Shostakovich’s concerto, and his 2023 Supraphon debut featuring Eugène Ysaÿe’s complete solo sonatas was enthusiastically compared by Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine, Classica and other critics with recordings by today’s violin stars. Shostakovich wrote his concerto in 1947–48 for David Oistrakh, but its premiere was delayed until after Stalin’s death after the composer was branded a “formalist” and its prominent Jewish musical motifs became an additional liability under the antisemitic Soviet regime. Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto, composed intermittently between 1914 and 1917, is full of contrasting moods and forms a striking counterpoint to Shostakovich’s dramatic work. Matejča performs both concertos with compelling energy and virtuoso technique, moving across a broad emotional range from rawness and delicacy to moving depth. Tomáš Netopil shapes the orchestra’s sound with a rich palette of dynamics and colours while closely accompanying the soloist throughout the musical journey. The recording is distinguished by a vivid, present and spacious sound.