Word: soloed
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Sibelius concerto's first movement consists of a series of impressive solo passages interspersed with cascading tuttis and fine wind entrances. As the orchestra began, its glistening harmonics were accompanied by a low roll of thunder; it was raining hard by the third movement. Kremer played the beginning of the first lick a bit raggedly but was well on target by the time he handed the melodic line over to the orchestra. His second solo passage came off perfectly, with brilliantly intoned harmonizations...
...third solo part and cadenza. Kremer showed a pair of weaknesses. His violent charging at his violin with the bow occasionally gave his notes unsteady attacks. If the problem was due to excess energy, it's excusable: few violinists have so able a bow arm as Oistrakh had. In addition, Kremer's tone seemed to run sharp now and then. Perhaps he was rattled by losing a string from his bow during the lick...
...London disc also features a recording of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1, with Ronald Brautigam at the piano and Peter Masseurs supplying the trumpet solo work. The piece resembles Shostakovich's other concertos for violin and cello in that conventional devices of the Germanic school are used for delirious swells and placid falls, with the addition of unexpected minor chord modulations that open up new possibilities for the instrument. Those who see Shostakovich as a throwback to the Romantics should not underestimate the importance of his original variations on timetested themes...
Brautigam offers sharp, pointed playing reminiscent of John Browning. Superior recording circumstances have allowed his cutting solo lines to ring with intensity. Chailly and the Concertgebouw supply restrained accompaniment that seems too intimate at times. The Piano Concerto, after all, does offer many more serious ideas than the Jazz Suites...
Arthur says Hansen failed flight school because she was a marginal flyer who would not improve with training. Maybe so, although she flew for more than a year, sometimes solo, with good marks. Some admirals are more enlightened than the men below them, but until they shake up the ranks little will change. For the moment, perhaps the only way women can make their point is to take a few admirals down with the ship...