Customer Reviews

Bach: Violin & Voice

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With so many artists re-treading the same ground in classical music-- endless recordings of the same popular warhorses, especially by violinists-- Hilary Hahn is charting her own path. First, these are not overly-recorded pieces: a couple selections from the St Matthew Passion and Mass in B Minor, plus a bunch of cantatas. Second, no other recording of these pieces (I listened to a bunch for sake of comparison) sound anything like Hahn's-- she places the violin and voices front and center for this recording, regardless of where Bach's sheet music and previous recordings place them in the orchestral mix, and that's a great thing. Third, Hahn continues her musical journey with this album, applying her signature style (clean, fast, crisp... dare I say, American?) to music that's never been recorded with that kind of violin sound.

In sum, this is new music. Which is exactly what classical music needs.

Baritone Matthias Goerne and soprano Christine Schäfer are stellar. Hahn shines. It's a great album. Looking forward to Hahn's recording of Jennifer Higdon's violin concerto.

It was Hilary Hahn's idea to create this unique concept album that juxtaposes violin and voice in a set of widely varied Bach arias and duets with solo violin. There is no questioning the credentials of these fine musicians, particularly in the realm of Bach interpretation, and they deliver an outstanding recording that merits many repeat listenings. Some may argue that this grouping of "soloists" with continuo accompaniment results in a lack of uniform style, but historicity and conventionality notwithstanding, the balance is quite pleasing and musical.

The sheer variety of Bach works on this single album is remarkable, including selections from the St. Matthew Passion, cantatas both sacred and secular, and the Mass in B Minor. One is hard-pressed to identify outstanding tracks, but some of my favorites include "Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder," "Wann kommst du, mein Heil?," "Angenehmer Zephyrus," and "Erbarme dich." The "Erbarme dich," probably the most well-known work on the album, is particularly poignant in its curious blend of austerity and sentiment.

When listening to this recording, one might not be able to decide whether it sounds old-fashioned or distinctly new. The best description probably includes both aspects. Whether you are new to Baroque music or have long appreciated it, you can't go wrong here. This recording is a true gem.

I bought this CD on recommendation from my fellow reviewer Mr. Ogan, had high expectations, and have not been disappointed. Great idea, and overall fine execution, although with some differentiation.

Matthias Goerne is easily worth 5 stars, with his warm, expressive, smooth voice that goes so well with Bach. Christine Schaefer overall also delivers a fine performance, although at times her soprano sounds a little thin, in particular in "erbarme Dich" (which, in all fairness, has been written for a deeper, fuller alto voice). Hilary Hahn plays beautifully, very clean, with marvelously intelligent phrasing. Sometimes I wish though she would dare to adopt a bigger tone, in particular when paired with Goerne.

The weakest part, in my view, is the Munich Chamber Orchestra, which often provides little more than a shallow backdrop to the soloists, rather than emphasizing the counterpunctual lines that Bach has also written into the orchestra score. Maybe it is also suffering from what appear to be rather dry acoustics.

Bottom line: 4 stars (not everything can be 5), and a must for Hahn-, Goerne- and Schaefer-Fans.

I'm a musician/singer and saw the 6 minute video of Hilary and friends on YouTube. I loved it immediately. All of the participants were top-drawer, and seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. I had to have the CD. I play it over and over - basking in the joy that the performers take in playing/singing Bach. Hilary Hahn has a formidable technique and a radiant tone. Her bowing is exceptional as is her intonation. (I'm not a violinist, but as a singer, pianist, and teacher, I am acutely aware of some of the less than perfect pitches that abound. The singers are both wonderful - beautiful voices, great facility and musicianship and superb Bach interpreters. The orchestra sounds great, and the cellist, oboist, and organist can be praised for their crucial contributions to the whole. The conductor gives the solo instruments and singers the ideal support and tempi. (With one exception which I found a bit too fast - but that's just my personal issue. I would have found it difficult to breathe at that tempo.)All in all, I heartily recommend this CD and commend Hilary Hahn for coming up with the idea.

The concept for this CD recital is a clever one - extracting arias and duets from Bach's many cantatas, the B minor Mass, and the St Matthew Passion in which the violin obbligato is an important part of the composition - is a sound and clever one. And who to better pull off this foray into the many voices of Bach than Hilary Hahn who drew the impeccable artists soprano Christine Schäfer and baritone Matthias Goerne into the concept. The three soloists collaborate with the Münchener Kammerorchester conducted by Alexander Liebreich.

The surprises flow in this selection as some of the arias (here sung by soprano and baritone) are written for other voices - mezzo-soprano and Bass - but both Schäfer and Goerne are such sophisticated artists that they sing them as though the vocal demands were written with them in mind. Hahn is her usual richly melodic self and understands Bach's reasons for writing violin obbligato for these selections. At all times the individual works flow with grace and intelligence. This is not only a fine idea for a recording, but it is also an album filled with gorgeous music beautifully performed. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, May 11

This disc is a collection of some of Bach's arias which have a particularly prominent violin part. They are largely taken from the Cantatas but include both "Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder" and "Erbarme dich" from the St. Matthew Passion and "Laudamus te" from the B minor Mass - all very beautiful, evocative music.

The performances are excellent. I tried this disc largely because I admire Matthias Goerne's work very much. He is in excellent form here, particularly as he opens the disc with a wonderful performance of "Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder," and Christine Schäfer is also very good. Hilary Hahn (who gets top billing) plays with great fluency, excellent technique and a lovely sound and she has real affinity with this music. For me she is just a little on the Romantic side in her phrasing and use of vibrato, but that's just a matter of personal taste and the overall effect is very beautiful.

My reservations lie in the programme itself. Although each individual movement here is exceptionally beautiful, they are written to be performed as part of larger, varied works. In their original context each shines like a jewel, but playing them one after another on this disc I thought they lost some of their lustre and I found myself longing for a chorus or piece of recitative to frame them. Even the sublime Mendelssohn arrangement of "Erbarme dich" which concludes the disc seemed flat and lifeless after eleven somewhat similar sounding movements, but when I returned next day and played just that track it was just wonderful. A more varied and adventurous programme would have worked much better, I think.

So, although this is a disc of great pieces of music very well performed by outstanding musicians, as an entire collection it doesn't quite succeed in showing either the music or the musicians to their best advantage. Nevertheless, if you want a disc of some of Bach's loveliest arias this certainly fits the bill, particularly if you play them one or two at a time.

The quality and value of this product is excellent, the purchase was a gift and it was very much appreciated.

I just received this cd today and it really is breathtaking. I expected it to be great and it is. "The way the instrument's sound wove in and out of the vocal line...seemed magical beyond belief." (Hilary)

Poor ensemble at times, a thin orchestral timbre, dreadful tuning and wobbly technique from Christine Schaefer, and (dare I say it) a rather hoarse version of Matthias Goerne's once-lovely basso! Plus I find Hilary Hahn's playing utterly uninteresting. Who's to blame for such a botch-up, I wonder? Goerne has recorded some of the most mellifluous Bach ever, and though he's not ostensibly an "early music" specialist, he's shown great sensitivity to historically informed performance practices. Schaefer, I fear, just doesn't know much about such practices, or else she doesn't have the vocal technique to execute them. In any case, this would be my choice for least appealing 'topselling' CD of the year.

I am rediscovering Bach's power of music thanks to Hilary Hahn's new CD: Bach: Violin and Voice. Famous violinist Hilary Hahn had the marvelous idea of recording a Bach's duets and arias that feature outstanding parts for violin. The combination of violin and voice is truly magical. Hahn is joined on this disc by soprano Christine Schäfer and baritone Matthias Goerne, both of whom are distinguished Bach interpreters.

I highly recommend this distinct recording for those with an interest in Bach. If you are not a lover of the baroque era, give this CD a chance, it may change all your ideas about baroque music.