Tchaikovsky / Myaskovsky: Violin Concertos

The catalogue abounds with great recordings of the Tchaikovsky, from Heifetz to Vengerov, but when a new one is as fresh and exciting as this one, it's folly to pass it by. Repin has the big, full-bodied tone to play the work with the lush energy it requires, and between them, he and Gergiev strike sparks with their open-hearted, emotionally grand reading. Even if you have many versions of the Tchaikovsky, the Myaskovsky is a must-have for lovers of Romantic violin concertos. It's chock-full of hummable tunes, an achingly lovely slow movement with gorgeous violin pirouettes around enchanting wind solos, and a zippy finale where Repin's bowing and pizzicatos are dazzling. And the orchestra really struts its stuff. Adding to the impact of this disc is that these are live recordings in vibrant sound. --Dan Davis