These are perfectly adequate performances and no one who hears them will think he/she has wasted his/her time.
Maxim Fedotov has a strong technique and a powerful arm, but his interpretations are a little lacking in finesse and a little full of sentimentality. For some listeners,
Fedotov's slow movements, with their too wide vibrato and too intense tone, may be a bit too much. Unfortunately, Max Bruch's Scottish Fantasy and Serenade for violin and orchestra are made up mostly of slow movements and
Fedotov may lean into them a tad too hard for some tastes.
Dmitry Yablonsky is an accommodating accompanist and the
Russian Philharmonic is an obliging instrument and the players are all willing to go along with whatever
Fedotov has in mind. But while the resulting performances are passionate, they are not altogether convincing.
Fedotov seems more intent on demonstrating his soulful interpretation than in playing Bruch's soulful music. Naxos' Russian State TV & Radio Company's Moscow studio sound is detailed and deep, but rough around the edges.