Georgian-born violinist Lisa Batiashvili grew up surrounded by the music of Shostakovich, listening to her father's string quartet rehearsing his quartets. It is therefore not suprising that Shostakovich's Violin Concerto no. 1 forms the backbone of her debut recording for DG. Echoes of Time is a collection of works which all cast light on Soviet Russia. Batiashvili was taught by a student of David Oistrakh, for whom Shostakovich wrote his violin concertos, and she feels a particular connection with the work. "When my teacher started telling stories about it I completely fell in love with the piece. David Oistrakh had shared very emotional and precise information about every movement... Music was an escape and a symbol of freedom at a time when it was so difficult to function in an incredibly brutal system." Batiashvili performs with flawless technique, pure tone and intelligent musicianship throughout. Her native country is represented in Kancheli's V & V for violin and taped voice with string orchestra. It's a haunting and utterly beautiful piece, contemplative and entirely in keeping with the Shostakovich. The lighter side of Shostakovich is demonstrated next with a peformance of his Lyrical Waltz from Seven Doll's Dances orchestrated by Tamas Batiashvili. This serves to conclude the violin/orchestra partnership for this recording. Batiashvili is then joined by pianist Helene Grimaud for the last two pieces, firstly Part's serene Spiegel im Spiegel followed by a wistful interpretation of Rachmaninov's Vocalise that brings this thoughtful and well-crafted programme to a close.

Reviewed by Dawn Gibson