Ittai Shapira (b.1972)
Concerto for Soprano, Violin and Orchestra “Chunhyang” (2019)
Ittai Shapira (violin), Hila Plitmann (soprano), Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Florin Parvulescu
No recording information.
Neuma Records 256

I asked for this disc because it intrigued me. The content description says it is a violin concerto with soprano (or perhaps a soprano concerto with violin), based on a Korean tale of a woman who, despite oppression, remains steadfast in love and virtue. The composer, Israeli-American Ittai Shapira, has also performed internationally on a 1745 Guadagnini violin.

The work is in three movements: Love in Namwon, Separation: From Struggle to Enlightenment and Reunion/Celebration. Stylistically, it inhabits a world of tonal modernism with occasional glances to the concerto grosso. Shapira expands on the music: “I was struck by the timbral intensity of Korean Pansori storytelling and its shared musical DNA with Celtic Music and the Blues: a triplet swing and pentatonic modes.”

The good modern recording is marred by the over-prominent balance which favours the vocal part over the violin and the orchestra. It is so much so that Hila Plitmann’s voice belting out of my loudspeakers sent me rushing to the volume control. It does not help that her youthful soprano is presented with a conspicuous, wide vibrato; it completely ruined any enjoyment I might have gained from the performance. This is especially true when you consider that she sings the Korean folk-song, whose musical difference from the sounds of Western song is very noticeable. It would have, therefore, made it a selling point for those of us who like exploring off-the-beaten-track music.

The orchestra play very well for Florin Parvulescu and for the composer-soloist. There is biographical detail of the performers and a description of the music.

Jim Westhead