Shostakovich, Prokofiev: Violin Concertos

Sarah Chang's new CD of two of the most flavorful Violin Concerti to come out of 20th-century Russia is a winner. The first movement of the Shostakovich finds Chang playing, at first, with no vibrato, and the effect is haunting and as properly spooky as the composer wanted. Her many levels of both dynamics and vibrato are very much on display throughout, and in the Scherzo, she builds to a wonderfully maniacal climax. The Passacaglia is played with ease, its cadenza beginning at a snail's pace but picking up speed as it goes along, and she plays it all with a powerful arm. The Burlesque is a complete tour de force, whipped through at such a fast tempo that the listener wonders if Chang will be able to keep it up: she does. The Prokofiev Concerto is a lyrical work, and Chang underscores the fine melodies in the first and last movements with grace. She doesn't forget the work's demonic side either, and the Scherzo sounds really crazy. Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic are closer to partners than accompaniment, and they have no trouble keeping up with Chang. A thrilling release. --Robert Levine