Review Karina Kanilakis – Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra

This recording fascinates from the very first moment. What shimmering clouds of strings, sensual harp glissandi, magical brass interludes. What an all-encompassing, overwhelming sound in which everything merges and spreads! Karina Kanilakis with the Radio Orchestra from Hilversum in Bartók’s “Four Orchestral Pieces” creates a plastic soundscape that catches your eye. All meticulously mixed, but with crisp lines, a commanding pulse, and strong colours. Perfect spatial arrangement of sound: orchestral amplitudes, swing, vocal points over detail – everything works succinctly. The less rich orchestral concerto, which bears little resemblance to the woodcut, a late work written in the USA, is quite astonishing in its score. The orchestral solos stand out prominently, and the depth of expression of this elegiac piece, but also the desperately defiant piece is so distinct that it gets under your skin.

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra and 4 Pieces for Orchestra Op.12

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Karina Kanylakis (Conductor)
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Karina Kanilakis

Born in New York in 1981 the daughter of a conductor and pianist, Karina Kanilakis studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and was initially active as an orchestral violinist. After winning Sir Georg Solti… continue