Customer Reviews

American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.