American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell

Amy Beach (Composer), Percy Grainger (Composer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Jean Sibelius (Composer), Marion Bauer (Composer), Frederic Chopin (Composer), Carl Venth (Composer), Selim Palmgren (Composer), Samuel [Composer] Coleridge-Taylor (Composer), Hart Pease Danks (Composer), Herman Bellstedt (Composer), Henry Holden Huss (Composer), James L. [Composer] Gilbert (Composer), Cecil Burleigh (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Max Liebling (Composer), Spiritual Traditional (Composer), Matthew Hagle (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Matthew Hagle
• Composer: Amy Beach, Percy Grainger, Antonin Dvorak, Jean Sibelius, Marion Bauer, et al.
• Audio CD (June 12, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cedille
• ASIN: B000QGDZAU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,121 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

New Yorker, July 30, 2007

Pine's program consists...of...nuggets Powell favored...attractive ones, each an excellent vehicle for Pine's nimble, expressive, and articulate style.

Pine plays with eloquence and easy virtuosity...

Strongly recommended to those who love the music of the period...those who revere Powell, and to listeners in general.

Product Description

"Everything about this release by violinist Rachel Barton Pine is exceptional." --ClassicsToday [10/10] (on Scottish Fantasies)

"Recordings don't get any better than this." -- ClassicsToday [10/10] (on Brahms & Joachim Violin Concertos)

Chicago native Rachel Barton Pine was a child prodigy who began performing in public at age seven. Today she is one of America's most acclaimed violinists, as well as the best selling artist on Cedille Records. Maud Powell (1867-1920) was the premier female American violinist of her era, and she made numerous classic recordings between 1904 and 1919 that are still sought after by collectors. This CD is a tribute from one eminent American violinist to another, honoring Maud Powell for the tremendous positive influence she had on later American artists. All of the selections are works recorded originally by Powell, now able to be heard in contemporary sound. Many of the selections are seldom or never recorded elsewhere, and all are extremely accessible.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tribute--Wonderfully Performed, July 13, 2007

By 

Arthur W. Haule, III "ViolinStudent" (Flower Mound, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell (Audio CD)

This recording is just plain fun! Rachel Barton Pine is one of my favorite young violinists, and this may be my favorite of her albums! Not only is the music exceptionally well chosen, Mrs. Pine's performances are top-notch across the board. As usual, her technique is wonderful. And the musicality of the performances leaves nothing to be desired. Just listen to the sweetness of her playing in Amy Beach's Romance! I can listen to this one track over and over and not become bored. Then contrast the fiery virtuosity Pine exhibits in Bellstedt's Caprice on Dixie. Just wonderful! Let's just say this disc is going to remain in my CD player for a long time! Highly, highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uniquely Classical, August 24, 2007

By 

J. Yingling "LiteraryArky" (Beebe, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell (Audio CD)

This is a very satisfying recording that you will enjoy listening to over and over. I first heard this recording reviewed on the Minn. Public Radio podcast "New Classical Tracks with Julie Amacher." I highly recommend her podcast as a great place to discover new recordings. The primary reason I purchased this audio cd was to hear the "Dixie" track. To my delight I found the other tracks just as unique and pleasing. This is a virtuosa performance and even though a number of the songs are American standards it is not "light" music. You will marvel at the interpretations. This has a definite place in your classical music library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and musical, July 5, 2010

By 

Virginia music lover "cossack" (northern Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell (Audio CD)

This album of shorter pieces contains many that you won't find on similar "encore" albums by other violinists. There are a few chestnuts here, but the unfamiliar ones are musical and interesting. Old favorites like Deep River and Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen are soulful without being maudlin or exaggerated. Who would have thought a fantasy on Sousa themes would sound so good on a violin?

I'm assuming the violin she used is her Guarneri Gesu, which was a violin that Brahms selected for the violinist Marie Soldat, with whom he frequently played chamber music. It has a sweet, mellow sound that in the hands of a very good musician like Ms. Pine makes music rapturous. I highly recommend this album. It is perfect for listening to while drinking a bottle of good red wine, which is what I'm doing as I write this review.