Customer Reviews

Brahms: Violin Concerto in D / Bruch: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had the privilege of seeing this magnificent creature play the Brahms concerto in D. I went right out, and bought the c.d, and it was more then I hoped for. This young lady is truly one with her violin. the good news is she is only in her 40s, and has so much more to offer. I know that even though she is very well known, she will continue to reach for the sky. this lady will not be forgotten. at present I am browsing the internet looking for another c.d from this young lady...

I've been searching for over 10 years for a good rendering of the Brahms concerto. This one is truly wonderful. Sonnenberg's playing is indescribable, alas, all I can do is attempt in vain. The attacks are perfect, the intonation beautiful, her tone has such depth and color, her sense of phrasing expansive, the lines beautiful, shifts and vibrato not overstated yet very musical, and at times just simply sublime. All in all, it appears that her understanding of this work, particularly the second movement, is intelligent and sympathetic. The orchestra nails it. Plain and simple. De Waart is a great musician, and has made many an orchestra defy believability in the precision of execution and sense of ensemble, such as with San Francisco and Minnesota on this recording. Minnesota under de Waart is in this recording like many others by this combination, and is sure to exceed expectations. Outstanding. Outstanding. Outstanding.

Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg performs the Brahms Violin Concerto like possibly no one else could. This artist seems to have an almost mystical connection with this music so that I'm sure Brahms himself is smiling down at this performance with the recognition that someone has finally accomplished what he had in his ear when he composed it. This work, seldom understood and highly controversial, is made complete by Nadja's performance. This music is in Nadja's soul - tightly conected in her spirit. This manifests itself in a performance that is decisive, dramatic, and full of subtle overtones and nuances to the point that the analytical "double speak" doesn't even matter any more, because your hearing the real thing - how the composition becomes the music it was intended - how the composition/music performance equation becomes fulfilled - and how in the end this performance stands alone, so powerful that its definition need rely on no other point of reference. Bravo Nadja!

I hate to be rather negative in this review, since I live in Minneapolis and I love the Minnesota Orchestra, but this CD was not that great. Miss Sonnenberg plays this piece with an unusual amout of aggression. She seems to stab the piece to death, in fact! In the first MVT, this isn't much of a problem, but in MVT II, It's played with this feeling of anticipation, as though you can tell that she really wants to play much louder and much faster, unlike the tenderness of Hilary Hahn. The last MVT is, of course, a dramatic movements, but she plays it with a rythmic burden, with many notes held just a bit too long, and also without the upbeat livelyness of other performers. Instead of this CD, I recommend either Hilary Hahn's Recording w/ Sir neville Marriner and the Julliard Orchestra, or Anne-Sophie Mutter w/ The New York Philharmonic (1997).

This soloist offers strange interpretations with illogical phrasing and primitive understanding of the works. The not too great technique also doesn't help her. I would have been bored if I wasn't irritated with the sloppy sound production and phony spinning of anti-musical pseudo-lines. The market is already pretty saturated with dozens of highly accomplished recordings of these particular works, by truly great artists of the most sterling reputation. Why would anyone want to own or even preview these recordings, is beyond me. I can't possibly recommend them.

Maestro de Waart leading the Minnesota Orchestra with soloist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg create an almost magical combination of musical forces to bring the Bruch concerto (one of the five great violin concerti) to music lovers at every level. This is a significant performance of this masterpiece. It should be in every serious collection of great music.

I love the way Nadja plays...such passion, such richness. Some say she overdoses, I say she is just right.

I am not usually a classical music lover...but a friend turned me on to this artist and CD....and I have enjoyed it very much...put on on, and lay back on the couch and LISTEN.....GREAT!

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is quite familiar wih the classical music world, known to many as a goddess of the violin. Her fiery temperament and burnished tone are perfect for these staples of the repertoire.

Extremely enjoyable. Of course, Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg is an exceptional violinist, so it is understandable that this recording would be enjoyed.