Anne-Sophie Mutter, André Previn - Previn: Violin Concerto, Bernstein: Serenade (2003)

August 2002 witnessed a celebrity marriage not forecast in the crystal ball of any tabloid columnist; that of youthful, 40-ish violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter to 72-year-old pianist/conductor/composer André Previn. While their union may have set gossips' tongues to wag, in purely musical terms it is a winning combination for the most part. The Violin Concerto "Anne-Sophie" is an André Previn work completed in March 2001 and intended for Mutter. Previn understands her musicianship well and plays to Mutter's strengths; the opening of the second movement where Mutter plays alone is a notable highlight of the concerto as a whole. Stylistically, the work moves between Hollywood-type scoring and a somewhat thornier aspect, the overall effect being strongly reminiscent of the music of Alban Berg. But there is also something about it that is strangely dull; while there are alternating moments of lyricism and excitement, at other points the concerto doesn't seem to "rise to the occasion" and tends to ramble. Perhaps it is better served in a concert performance than on record. The Leonard Bernstein Serenade is presented here in what is likely the finest recording it has ever had. Mutter really puts her best foot forward in this under-appreciated work, and Previn's handling of the small-scale tutti required is nothing short of admirable. If you like Bernstein and can get past the kind of "cap, gown, and diploma" milieu in which the Serenade is conceived, this will be a real delight for you. In sum, this disc is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but on its own terms it may hold real appeal, especially for those who are predisposed to the content and/or the performers.