Not too many people (I would guess) listen to Glazunov's violin concerto three times within the space of a couple of hours. But I did, today: Oscar Shumsky (1987), Julia Fischer (2004) and Arabella Steinbacher (2006 - off-air). Shumsky was three stars -- serious, beautiful playing, undemonstrative. Fischer was good, but a bit studied and somewhat dictated by head rather than heart. Joint winner with Shumsky (somewhat to my surprise) was Arabella Steinbacher. Technically as good as Shumsky and Fischer, but with a heartfelt commitment to Glazunov's glorious score that was highly welcome. And less dawdling than Fischer.

Of course, still to come in my potential listening pile if I ever find the energy are Jascha Heifetz (two versions), Nathan Milstein (four verions), Riccardo Odnoposoff, David Oistrakh, Michael Rabin, David Nadien, Stoika Milanova, Galina Barinova, Myron Polyakin, Viktor Tretyakov, Vadim Repin, Bronislav Gimpel, Julian Sitkovetsky, Erica Morini, Ida Haendel and Semyon Snitkovsky. If Alexander Glazunov were still alive, he would be mightily pleased at the success of his friendly and likeable little violin concerto