The masterpiece violin concerto of Alexi Matchavariani

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:05 pm

Who? Not even from left field, but from the bleachers behind center, comes the Violin Concerto of Alexi Matchavariani (1913-1995).

I was fortunate to have been given a CD by a friend who recorded the work off an LP in his possession. Immediately upon listening, I realized that here was a true masterpiece - one of the loveliest, most stirring and, at the same time, relaxed and melodious violin works I'd ever heard.

Matchavariani was born in Georgia and was, later, along with Shostakovich and Prokofiev accused of "formalism." He was arrested many times, but managed to survive and continue to compose.

The Violin Concerto (1949) is in three movements. The first alternates between sort of fierce attacks and lyrical tunes. We are time and again returned to a luscious theme - in between outbursts of powerful orchestral sound. The second, slow movement presents one of the most gorgeous melodies I've encountered in any concerto work and it goes on, winding out beautifully. This movement alone has to be heard to be believed. The finale opens with an almost martial call to attention and the soloist brings in a dancing motif. Eventually the music drives along, a la Shostakovich qand ends with an unrestrained, wild presto for violin and orchestra.

I cannot recommend this piece highly enough - and I am not very good at descriptive prose about music. Suffice to say - if you can get a hold of a recording of the Matchavariani concerto, you are in for your treat of a music-loving lifetime.

Modernistfan · Post by **Modernistfan** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:49 pm

We should forward this information to Toccata Classics. Among other projects, they are looking for works by composers who were suppressed either by the Nazis or by the Soviets. I just got the CD of orchestral music by Julius Burger (originally Julius Bürger; he dropped the umlaut when he had to flee Vienna and wound up in the United States). They are working with an organization in London called the International Centre for Suppressed Music.

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:48 pm

Please, by all means do so - if you have the proper contact at Toccata.

Thanks.

Mischa · Post by **Mischa** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:19 pm

Oh yes - it's a magic concerto, during my study I had a georgian fellow student, who loved to luxuriate in its melodies while warming up. I've never heard it in concert, all I have is a recording with him and a georgian orchestra. On Matchavariani's hommage-page you can find at least the first movement played by Liana Isakadze (free for download). Maybe it wasn't a clever idea to put the files on a public filesharing server, the other movements were deleted cause of inactivity. Unfortunately - the 3rd movement is my favorite...

Modernistfan · Post by **Modernistfan** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:28 pm

Maybe Melodiya can be persuaded to release these, as they are now rereleasing a lot of recordings previously not available, and making some new recordings. These were recorded late enough that the sound should not be a problem for most listeners.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:10 pm

Fascinating! Thanks for the link. I did get the 5th Symphony downloaded, that was the only other link that seemed to work. On first cursory hearing, it is quite interesting as well.

Modernistfan · Post by **Modernistfan** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:01 pm

I have indeed contacted Toccata Classics with the suggestion that they record his music. I listened to an excerpt of the Violin Concerto; anyone who likes the music of, say, Khachaturian, would love this! The soloist in that recording, Liana Isakadze, I believe is still active. (It would also be good if those Melodiya LP's were transferred to CD.)

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:02 pm

Thanks - let's hope Toccata gives us a recording of this wonderful piece.

Khachaturian is a good comparison, but I think the Matchavariani concerto is more melodic than anything - save perhaps the luscious Adagio from Spartacus - Khachaturian wrote. I certainly would choose it over Khachaturian's Violin Concerto or even the Concert-Rhapsody for Violin & Orchestra.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:07 pm

And some of the other works too. The 5th Symphony links and the links to the ballets "Othelo" and "The Knight in the Tiger Skin" worked and are worth hearing as well.

Modernistfan · Post by **Modernistfan** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:43 pm

Maybe Sony might be persuaded to take a chance on this concerto with Lisa Batiashvili, a fellow-Georgian who was just signed to the label, as soloist? It might be a hit if they actually tried to market the sucker. Putting an "interesting" picture of Ms. Batiashvili on the cover couldn't hurt.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:46 pm

Frank,

If you meet me in an alley behind a certain White Plains restaurant we both love with a copy of the concerto, I'll spring for dinner.

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:12 pm

For those interested, the Matchavariani Violin Concerto, on LP, is being offered at eBay. The seller is in Russia and is completely reliable.

http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :B:SS:US:1

Opus132 · Post by **Opus132** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:29 pm

http://www.matchavariani.ge/alexi/rec.html

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The masterpiece violin concerto of Alexi Matchavariani

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