For those not in the know, Lisa Batiashvili is a Georgian violinist who has resided in Germany and France since she was 12 years old and who has performed across Europe and the United States.

Born in Tbilisi where her father was a violinist and her mother was a pianist, she began learning violin with her father from age four. The family left Georgia in 1991 when she was 11 years old, and settled in Germany.

She later studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. Mark Lubotsky, her teacher in Hamburg, had been a student of David Oistrakh, for whom Shostakovich wrote his violin concertos.

Already with 11 albums to her name, now Lisa Batiashvili brings forth the impressive, and highly challenging work, Visions Of Prokofiev.

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was a Soviet composer, pianist and conductor. As the creator of acknowledged masterpieces across numerous musical genres, he is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century.

His works include such widely heard works as the March from The Love for Three Oranges, the suite Lieutenant Kijé, the ballet Romeo and Juliet – from which "Dance of the Knights" is taken – and Peter and the Wolf.

A Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, op. 64
1. Allegro pesante
Arr. for solo violin and orchestra by Tamás Batiashvili

Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major op. 19
2. Andantino
3. Scherzo. Vivacissimo
4. Moderato

Grand Waltz from Cinderella, op. 87
5. Allegro
Arr. for solo violin and orchestra by Tamás Batiashvili

Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor op. 63
6. Allegro moderato
7. Andante assai – Allegretto
8. Allegro, ben marcato

Grand March from The Love for Three Oranges, op. 33
9. Tempo di Marcia
Arr. for solo violin and orchestra by Tamás Batiashvili

Just released via Deutsche Grammophon, and featuring the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, after the outstanding critical acclaim of her previous album, Tchaikovsky & Sibelius Violin Concertos with Staatskapelle Berlin and Daniel Barenboim, Batiashvili's rather masterful version (it simply has to be said) of Prokofiev's two violin concertos (in another first class musical partnership) is a joy to behold, from start to finish.

Inclusive of her rather unique talent to turn standard repertoire into something new, fresh, elegant and special, Visions Of Prokofiev immediately allows the listener to rediscover Prokofiev through her very own eyes, so to speak.

A superb and energetic rendition of Prokofiev's violin concertos is what you would hope for and is definitely what you get, as well as arrangements of other pieces, of course.

As for the overall sound, well, it's crystal clear and the enthusiasm and passion, combined with Batiashvili's obvious devotion to the work as a whole, is abounding here, truly.

The album itself features the core classic Prokofiev (violin concertos), as well as selected movements of his famous ballets with their very recognizable tunes (Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, The Love for Three Oranges), newly arranged for Solo Violin and Orchestra by Tamás Batiashvili, Lisa’s father.

CD Purchase Link

www.LisaBatiashvili.com