Scott Cantrell

B+Violin concertos, etc. Gluzman, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Litton (BIS hybrid SACD)

LITTON IN BERGEN: Eyebrows were raised in 2003 when Andrew Litton, then still music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, added the Bergen Philharmonic to his portfolio. Although dating from 1765, with a list of artistic directors including Edvard Grieg, the Norwegian orchestra has been overshadowed in recent years by the Oslo Philharmonic.

SKILL AND DASH: This disc, though, captures an orchestra warm-toned and refined, in a nicely resonant hall. And Mr. Litton again proves his skill and dash as a concerto collaborator. Ukrainian-born violinist Vadim Gluzman has a Dallas connection, too, with DSO violinist Arkady Fomin among his teachers.

BREATHLESS BRILLIANCE: Mr. Gluzman has all the brilliance one could want in the Tchaikovsky and Glazunov concertos, but the finale of the Tchaikovsky sounds breathless rather than sparkling. Jascha Heifetz's 1957 recording, shaves off even more time, but it dances. The filler is Glazunov's orchestration of Tchaikovsky's pleasant if ephemeral violin-and-piano triptych Souvenir d'un lieu cher.

BOTTOM LINE: Brilliant performances, but a graceless Tchaikovsky finale.

Scott Cantrell

ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics | Search Tips

SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home