The theme of Lisa Batiashvili’s brilliant DG debut – composers whose lives and work were affected by the politics of the former Soviet Union – brings together music by Shostakovich, Kancheli, Pärt and Rachmaninov. Arvo Pärt’s beautiful Spiegel im Spiegel *(featuring Hélène Grimaud) is as good as any version, while Rachmaninov’s *Vocalise *is refreshingly understated. Most impressive, though, is Shostakovich’s *Violin Concerto No. 1. Playing of the most sincere tenderness, rather than drama, offsets the sense of frustrated emotion that seems to characterise much of Shostakovich’s music. The cadenza is simply perfect. I cannot imagine a better or more warm and inviting performance of this work – a work I now love.

Evan Meagher is from Readings Hawthorn