LEV KNIPPER (1898-1974): Symphony No. 8, Violin Concerto No. 1.

Description: These new recordings of works from 1942 and 1943 will help reintroduce another fecund symphonist (he wrote 20) to today's collectors. Needless to say, the music fits into the boundaries of Socialist Realism but Knipper's personal style sets him apart from party hacks. A Lisztian form of monothematicism and thematic transformation runs through both works, as well as melodic suggestions of such contemporaries as Prokofiev and Rachmaninov as well as composers of previous generations like Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin while the unusual three-slow-movement the symphony (peaceful and calm in the first, folk-inspired in the second with the only signs of the struggle outside coming in the final movement) shows interesting formal innovation as well. Don't be surprised if you find the main theme of the symphony rather Korngoldian! Mikhail Krutik (violin), St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Titov.