Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra/Robert Kwiatkowski (violin)
CD Accord ACD329 66:24 mins
‘Precise’ was the first word that came to mind when listening to the opening tutti of Mozart's First Violin Concerto. Tight rhythms and articulation combined with controlled dynamics set the mood, and Kwiatkowski carries on in the same way when he enters. There’s more than a nod to the now inescapable influence of historically informed performance, but neither orchestra nor soloist is averse to using vibrato, although it’s never over-indulgent.
In his sleeve note, Kwiatkowski makes the case for composing his own cadenzas, avoiding an over-romantic or virtuoso approach, and in this movement it’s brief and to the point. The Adagio could be more yielding in phrasing at times, but the final Presto is sprightly and energetic.
This template holds in the other concertos, but as they continued, I found myself wanting more robust and varied tone from the soloist. He is always light on his feet, and generally impeccable in phrasing and intonation, but a sense of individuality isn’t always present, even in his cadenzas. Maybe that’s the point he’s making, and perhaps we’re all too used to virtuoso fireworks, but there’s a dimension missing.
On the plus side is the bright, clean recording, and the complete unanimity of intent from all the players, with the exact measuring of rests in the slow movements giving the music space to breathe. The finale of the Second Concerto catches the changes of mood and pace with charm, and this holds even more in the Rondeau of the Third. Not quite there overall.