This album was recorded live at the Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, with Violin Concerto No. 1 recorded in December 2012 and Violin Concerto No. 2 in October 2015.
Instruments
For this recording, Frank Peter Zimmermann performs Violin Concerto No. 1 on a Stradivarius violin named 'Lady Inchiquin 1711' and Violin Concerto No. 2 on a Stradivarius named 'ex Rodewalt 1713'.
Composer Biography
Shostakovich suffered a broken leg in 1960 due to poliomyelitis and a heart attack in 1966, which temporarily halted his creative work.
Interpretation
Frank Peter Zimmermann based his performance of the solo part in Violin Concerto No. 1 on the composer's autograph manuscript, including Shostakovich's own metronome markings and bowing instructions.
Compositional Technique
The Second Violin Concerto, written in the unusual key of C sharp minor for a violin concerto, features elements characteristic of Shostakovich's late style.
Composition History
Shostakovich composed his First Violin Concerto in 1948 but it was not premiered until 1955, two years after Stalin's death, due to his music being deemed too modernist by Soviet authorities.
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