Nemanja Radulovic: Prokofiev album review thrills and spills from a fearless violin virtuoso

"Radulovic plunges in, his audacious attack and intonational high-wire act almost upsetting the applecart in the oompah-pah finale. The same fearless commitment pays dividends elsewhere: in the jaunty Heifetz arrangement of the Gavotte from the Classical Symphony, for example, or in the spiky march from The Love for Three Oranges."

"Reining himself in, Radulovic fosters a fine sense of dialogue with Johan Dalene in the neglected Sonata for Two Violins. The Sonata for Solo Violin benefits from a similar combination of poetry and restraint. It's in the ballet selections, however, that he provides the virtuosic thrills and spills."

"Romeo and Juliet's Masks has tremendous swagger; there's a lacerating account of the Death of Tybalt, with Favre-Kahn going with him cheek by jowl; and a trio of percussionists lend irresistible spice to the Grand Waltz from Cinderella."

Nemanja Radulovic presents an 86-minute collection of Prokofiev's violin works featuring the Second Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia under Santtu-Matias Rouvali, two underperformed sonatas, and various original works and transcriptions with pianist Laure Favre-Kahn. Radulovic's audacious playing style combines technical brilliance with musical sensitivity. Rouvali provides subtle orchestral support, allowing Radulovic's virtuosity to shine. The program showcases Radulovic's versatility: his fearless commitment excels in arrangements like the Heifetz Gavotte and the spiky march from The Love for Three Oranges, while he demonstrates restraint and dialogue in the Sonata for Two Violins and Solo Violin. Ballet selections provide virtuosic highlights, including a swaggering Romeo and Juliet's Masks, a lacerating Death of Tybalt, and a spirited Grand Waltz from Cinderella enhanced by percussion.

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