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 James Levine Conducts Orchestral WorksJames Levine: A Celebration in Music. Works by Prokofiev, Bartók, Brahms, Mozart, Smetana, Sibelius, Schoenberg, Webern, Stravinsky, R. Strauss, and Wagner. Chicago Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and the Met Orchestra, James Levine, conductor. (DG 474485, 4 CDs)
JAMES LEVINE, who celebrated his 60th birthday on June 23, is indelibly associated with the Metropolitan Opera. In the 32 years since his debut in 1971, he has led more than 2,100 performances of 75 operas, serving variously as principal conductor, music director, and artistic director. However, he has had a notable, parallel career as an orchestral conductor. DG's new four-CD set, released as a birthday tribute, redresses the balance by dedicating itself exclusively to nonvocal music (selected by Levine himself), recorded 1986-95 with four orchestras with which he has had a close relationship.A pupil of Jean Morel, Levine received his diploma in orchestral conducting from Juilliard in 1963, where he also studied piano with Rosina Lhévinne. In 1964, at the invitation of George Szell, Levine became an assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, remaining until 1970. Over the years, Levine has returned to Juilliard to give master classes, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2000.On DG's new album, Levine conducts the Chicago Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and the Met Orchestra in committed performances of 11 works that suggest his wide range of sympathies. Included are symphonies (Mozart's "Haffner," Brahms's First, Sibelius's Fourth, and Prokofiev's Fifth), 20th-century works (Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, Schoenberg's Transfigured Night, Webern's Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6, and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring), a tone poem (Strauss's Death and Transfiguration), and, in a nod to opera, Smetana's Bartered Bride Overture and Wagner's Tristan Prelude and "Liebestod."Many of Levine's finest interpretations (such as Debussy's La Mer) have yet to be recorded. In addition, Levine's memorable incomplete Mahler Symphony cycle for RCA, including a splendid Seventh, richly deserves to be reissued. Next year, Levine will relinquish his post with the Munich Philharmonic to become music director of the Boston Symphony. Future recordings will be eagerly anticipated.Nikolaj Znaider Plays Russian Violin ConcertosProkofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63; Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 82; Tchaikovsky: Méditation, Op. 42, No. 1. Nikolaj Znaider, violin; Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mariss Jansons, conductor. (RCA 87454)
NIKOLAJ ZNAIDER, who will appear in Lincoln Center's Great Performers series next month, studied violin at Juilliard 1992-93 with Dorothy DeLay. Winner of the 1992 Carl Nielsen and 1997 Queen Elisabeth Competitions, Znaider has recorded concertos by Nielsen and Bruch for EMI, and appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic. His first recording for RCA was issued in 2002. It provides persuasive accounts of the Prokofiev Second and Glazunov Concertos, expertly partnered by conductor Mariss Jansons, enhanced by exceptional recorded sound of almost palpable presence (RCA 87454).On a visit to Chicago last year, this reviewer saw Znaider receive a standing ovation for his Prokofiev Second Concerto with the Chicago Symphony under Zubin Mehta. Znaider gave a fiery encore, the Ysaÿe Third Sonata for unaccompanied violin; a performance so incendiary it threatened to set off Orchestra Hall's sprinkler system. That same Ysaÿe Sonata is included on Znaider's second, just-released RCA CD, titled Bravo! Virtuoso and Romantic Works for Violin, which also offers suave and sizzling performances of nine other pieces, accompanied by pianist Daniel Gortler (RCA 63960).On November 2 and 3, Znaider will play concertos by Mozart (No. 3) and Beethoven at Avery Fisher Hall with the Vienna Symphony under Vladimir Fedoseyev. Znaider's next recording for RCA will be with the Vienna Philharmonic. Michael Sherwin, marketing manager of the Juilliard Bookstore (bookstore.juilliard.edu), has written for High Fidelity and Musical America.
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