Success was assured for
Leila Josefowicz in her 1994 recording debut, for the 17-year-old violinist had performed these works several times before and had perfected her interpretations through constant preparation and presentation. Along with her boundless energy and self-confidence,
Josefowicz's skills have placed her at the forefront of violin virtuosi, and this recording is a fascinating record of her precocity. Tchaikovsky's Classically oriented violin concerto is as bright a showpiece as exists in the repertoire. However,
Josefowicz's mastery of the brilliant scales and arpeggios is almost secondary to her soulful shaping of the purely melodic material that is at the heart of this intensely lyrical piece. For this session, she performed on the "Ruby" Stradivarius, which produces many remarkable timbres, not least of which is an almost human vocal quality on the G string. The Sibelius violin concerto presents a darker palette than Tchaikovsky's, yet it is complementary in both its scope and in its rigorous demands. The most striking effects come from the "Ebersolt" Guarnerius that
Josefowicz played here. Because its tone holds up well against the thick orchestral textures and carries even at the softest dynamics,
Josefowicz's selection of this instrument demonstrates her overriding attention to the music's needs.