Concertos from the Caucasus, Vol. 1: Three Violin Concertos
7/18/2025, 9 Tracks, 1:24:08
Featuring
Karen Bentley Pollick
John McLaughlin Williams
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Aleksandre Machavariani
Azər Rzayev
Rauf Hacıyev
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Composer Biography
Rauf Gadjiev, an Azerbaijani composer, served as the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan from 1965 to 1971 and later as the General Adviser of Art throughout the African continent.
Composition History
Azər Rzayev's Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor was his graduation dissertation, and he premiered it himself as the soloist during his defense.
Historical Context
The three violin concertos on this album were composed in Azerbaijan and Georgia, which were part of the Soviet Union, less than ten years after the Second World War.
Critical Reception
Azər Rzayev's Violin Concerto won a Laureate title at an International Composers' Competition in 1955, even though it was only presented as a score and not performed.
Composer Biography
Aleksi Machavariani, a Georgian composer, was born in Gori and later became a professor of composition at the Tbilisi Conservatoire and chair of the Georgian Composers' Union.
Recording & Production
These concertos were previously recorded by Melodiya, the state-owned label of the Soviet Union, but this album features their first modern digital recordings.
Performer Biography
Karen Bentley Pollick, the violinist on this album, is known for performing a wide range of styles on violin, viola, piano, and Norwegian Hardanger fiddle.
