Album insights
Janine Jansen discusses Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto ||PARAGRAPH_END||
Immersed in the emotions and memories evoked by Romantic music, Janine Jansen reflects on how it can transcend human experience. For her, Tchaikovsky symbolizes this ability, as she dreamed of performing his Violin Concerto since childhood. At age 13, she attended a summer seminar in the US, attempting sections of the challenging piece inspired by older teens mastering it. Even though she wasn't ready, the complexity didn't deter her.
Tchaikovsky's Op. 35, characterized as one of violin literature's most challenging pieces, faced critics when initially premiered. Despite support from the young violinist Yosif Kotek during its creation in Clarens, Switzerland, renowned virtuoso Leopold Auer controversially deemed it unplayable. The work's eventual triumph, amidst harsh critiques, deeply affected Tchaikovsky, demonstrating the enduring struggles of artistic expression.
Having performed the concerto multiple times, Jansen finds each rendition transformative. Her initial encounter with the piece, conducted by Valery Gergiev, was a pivotal moment opening doors to her recording career. Admitting the work's enduring intensity, she acknowledges the live performance's spontaneity and audience connection. Evolving over time, she now seeks to delve deeper into the piece's emotional nuances, moving beyond technical prowess to explore its diverse moods—a testament to her growth as a musician.
Tschaikovsky crafted the concerto during a turbulent period in his life, marked by personal crises. Despite its somber origins, Jansen perceives the piece as intimate and melancholic, devoid of excessive sentimentality. In her interpretation, she values simplicity and honesty, embodying the work's essence authentically.
The concerto's three movements offer distinct challenges, with Jansen particularly drawn to its introspective second movement. Reflecting on Tchaikovsky's artistic choices, she notes the struggle to integrate powerful sentiments with simplicity, creating a unique intimacy for both performers and listeners.
Appreciating the concerto's evolution, Jansen treasures the opportunity to record it alongside her beloved "Souvenir d'un lieu cher." Collaborating with Daniel Harding and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, she enjoys a musical rapport that enriches their shared creative process. This partnership embodies a familial spirit, emphasizing interconnectedness and passion in musical expression, a philosophy she embodies in her own chamber music festival in the Netherlands.
Decca Classics © 2008
Translated by ChatGPT