Customer Reviews

Bach Works for Violin Solo

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In a classical market saturated with digitally remastered Szigeti as well as newcomers (Hillary Hahn) recording the golden oldies of classical music, the average listener is confronted with a tsunami of choices. Old masters/new upstarts, same 'old' pieces. On average I buy 5-6 CDs a week (w/ my overall collection around 5000), 4 times out of 5 it is a contemporary music disc of a living composer which has just been recorded for the first time, however that one time I buy a 'dead' composer's CD it HAS to have something fresh and insightful to stand out.

How many times have listeners heard yet ANOTHER performance/recording of the warhorse D minor Partita? I hear it played at least 3 times a year at the Conservatory! That said, Lara St. John's Bach disc is one which WILL sit in the memory. Listeners and critics may argue for or against her interpretations, but that belies the fact that her recording actually SAYS something. How many other recordings are 'nice', 'fine' or 'good'? Do they do anything beyond that? Her interpretations are BOLD, powerful and insightful wielding her instrument to sculpt Bach's counterpoint like clay. Each passage and turn brings out some new shape. No where is this more apparent than in the C Major Sonata where she keeps the droll of the opening ostinato and background while adding more sound to shape the outer voices as they come to the foreground. The control required to create such a line are so refreshing and ultimately exhilarating. If you want a hint in understanding Bach's 'complexity', listen to Lara St. John unravel it one phrase at a time.

I play this CD for anyone that will listen and the effect is always magical. If you can listen to Lara play Bach and not be swept up by the power of this music and what she does with it, then you're dead and don't know it yet. My favorite had been Milstein's earlier recordings on EMI but now those sound academic by comparison. Her technique is so secure that she can be expressive and most importantly, moving. This is some of the greatest music ever written, performed amazingly, by a such a young person. Perhaps the key is to learn very young (2 yrs old) and peak at 20. I wish she would complete the set and maybe Sony will let her, because this is special music making and it needs to be perserved for our grandchildren to be inspired by.

No other violinist I have ever heard has this gift. This will go to my desert island top five without hesitation. Her Bach Concerto album should be up there too, but that would be unfair to Beethoven, Mozart, and so many other friends. The recording is exceptional even for an HDCD played on normal players. Fine details of bowing can be clearly heard while still preserving the sweet tone of her instrument in the highest registers. Bravo WTP.

I have been studying Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin with a passion for about 5 years now. I own about a dozen recordings by other top Bach performers but I have found that Lara St. John's recording is the most enjoyable of them all. Her Chaconne ( as well as the rest of the recording ) is as close to perfect as I have ever heard and her interpretation is very tasteful. She doesn't over-romanticize her performance like I've heard from other performers and this gives it a more authentic feel as I have heard in period instrument recordings. Lara is a young, beautiful girl and is often criticized for her slightly risque CD covers. This is a shame as many people won't even give her recording a chance. Even though her recording has won the hearts of many critics, amateur and professional alike, many still feel the need to tear down all that she has done. This is unfortunate. All I can say is that anyone who doesn't give this recording a chance with an open mind is doing themselves and Ms. St. John a disservice.

I first heard of Lara's work with the Giga piece of the Partita, and I was blown away. I happened to have a copy of Hillary Hahn's version of the same piece and St. John's was superior by far. Comparing the two, Lara St. John puts much more emotion into the Partita and it's noticeable. If you don't believe me, compare the two at your local CD store yourself! I've even went so far as to compare the same interpretations by Perlman and Heifetz and still found St. John's more moving. Lara St. John gets a lot of flak for her risque cover, but please don't judge the CD by that. Lara is amazing with her violin and I believe the new generation of classical musicians such as herself, Hillary Hahn, Yevgeny Kissin, Joshua Bell, etc. are taking classical music to a new level. An excellent CD for any classical music collection.

It seems that there has been much controversy in this space, about the value of this recording. Some people are alarmed by the cover, others just prefer Hillary Hahn. I wonder, though, if any of those negative-thinkers ever actually listened to the disc, and if they have done so more than once. We all get attached to our favorite records at one point or another, and, after that, are very reluctant to give another performer another chance.

If you are an "expert", an "audiophile", or if you have heard your Bach the same way for 50 years, then this may take some getting used to. The interpretation is strong, passionate, and unique.

For me, there is no substitute. I have heard this disc for the first time three years ago, in a Tower Records listenning station. I have recommended it to everyone, and I recommend it to you.

But, enough. You must listen to it yourself. Lend it an open ear, and an open heart. Yes, that's how amazing it is.

I confess that I was curios about the debate related to the cover photo, so I bought this recording. I liked the photographs, textbook and recording quality is also good.

Lara St. John is neat, has a high-quality instrument and it is evident that she has remarkable technical skill. In the recording, partita is generally played "fast", hurrying to catch something (I don't know what). And in a point to hurry, Ms. St. John slows down. Generally her tempo and nuances do not follow the emotional stress in the music. In many places she focuses plain musical text, rather than Partita or Bach. I'm afraid famous "German spirit" is missing in Ciaccona. I absolutely do not agree with reviewers that generously praise her, and give 5 stars. In my opinion recording gets 3 over 5. (I believe it is fair in European standarts) I may try Romantic composers from Ms. St. John. She's 'good', but Partita needs more than being 'good' I guess.

Like a solar eclipse, this recording is a beautiful and rare occasion when everything comes together to produce something so astonishing. Lara's stunning technical and artistic playing of the two HUGE Bach solo works (The Partita No.2 in D Minor is considered the Mt. Everest challange of a violin players skills) is nothing short of jaw dropping, awe inspiring, and just simply brilliant ! The sound quality of the recording is top notch. I've never heard these works sound so life like, you'd swear she's right there playing in front of you. If you want to hear one of the greatest musical master's (Bach) work , played with stunning vigor, passion and technical beauty, and all of this captured on one of the best sounding recording's you will ever encounter. Then this disc is for you ! What more could you ask for in a classical recording ? Get this disc, you won't be dissapointed unless you are the type to judge a cd by it's cover.

There are those who still do not like Glenn Gould becuase "you do not play Bach like that". I am so tired of hearing pedantic musicians put down interpretations that are fresh and full of energy. Yes, Lara is very young and attractive. Great. I detect more than a little envy in some of the reviews. Good for you Lara. Be your own musician and continue on what you are doing. I love your performances and recommend them highly. And yes I have heard lots of other performers do Bach. I manage to get something out of most of them. The world needs more Lara St. Johns!

Lara St. John has very well-nigh perfect technique, and despite other renditions (and there must be a hundred other performances) her's has one of the most fiery, refreshing I have heard recently. (Menuhin, Vegh, Menuhin II, Grumiaux, Szigeti, Milstein ...) She has technique to burn, and it shows. Some may not like the over-virtuoistic manner of these performances but they do show a great love for the music, and a great sensitivity to the music. On the whole the CD is not well-filled (50++ min) but that's no problem. My opinion? 1) Ignore the cover 2) Buy the CD 3) Play and be impressed :) 4) Start writing to Well-Tempered Productions and hope they start producing more of her Bach. Haven't heard her "Gypsy" album yet...

This recording is a masterful work. It is on a par with Hilary Hahn's work and Perlman's, and yet very different at the same time. I have listened to it many times and still marvel at the interpretation she gives many phrases. As for the cover, I liked that as well. If you are one who lets a cover make a decision on the artistic merit of an artist, then the new generation of serious music performers are something you will never understand. This is a remarkable recording, and you will not regret the purchase.