This is a very fine performance in every way. I must confess that I prefer the piece as written by the composer…that is, without all of the octave displacements. But I understand the player’s desire to show off his high range. This is all reflected in the Davis Shuman edition of the solo part. The original can be downloaded from IMSLP. My preferred recording, due to the general Russian panache and style, can be found on the old EMI/Melodiya LP, later a Chante du Monde CD, of Victor Batashov playing with a Russian military band. We all have our tastes, but that is mine. You may like or dislike Batashov’s sound and style, but he plays the living daylights out of this piece.
Wonderful tone, articulations, and all around musicality of your performance! The best performance of this piece I’ve ever heard! And I’ve been playing and listening to this piece for 70 years!
Hallo Carsten! Dies Konzert spiele ich am 30.11.18 um 21.00 im Aditorio de Santa Colma de Gramenet (Barcelona). Falls Du da grade in Barcelona bist: Herzliche Einladung!
Absolutely beautiful playing, but I don't agree with the octave jumps. Once or twice is absolutely fine and within the realm of a virtuoso putting their own spin on a concerto; to the extent done here, it just feels a bit disrespectful of the composer's intentions.
In the original score it allows the octave jump if you choose to play it. Korsakov wrote bass octave jump as an option and a lot of the newer editions have it lower on purpose to help students play the piece easier. It’s your choice, but the composer didn’t mind either interpretation as he wrote both options out.
