Customer Reviews

The Fiddler of the Opera

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

 

 

As an opera fan, I am always a little suspicious of albums that try to instrumentalize opera for the light-classical audience. But that is emphatically not the case here. This is not "1001 Strings" elevator music, but a series of arrangements by classical composers and/or violinists mainly for the purpose of demonstrating the violin's (and the violinist's) capabilities in a short form -- in other words, the kind of thing Heifitz might have played as an encore. I never tire of listening to this CD, which is executed with amazing skill and just the right touch of elan.

Gil Shaham is one of the greatest violinists alive. His amazing control and engaging style not only draws you in emotionally to the music, but makes you feel he is communicating directly to you. He can rip off an blazingly fast yet clean and controlled passage one second, and bring a tear to your eye with a soft gentleness the next. I have been fortunate enough to work in the orchestral field for several years, and Shaham is the greatest musician I have ever met.

Superb playing of clever virtuoso arrangements.

I do get sick of screechy virtuoso violin arrangements of famous pieces, but this CD is an exception. The arrangements are lot more interesting musically than usual.

The Gershwin bits in particular work really well.

Sound quality excellent too.

I heard Der Rosenkavlier on the radio at the office and fell head over heels in love with the arrangement. When I got home I downloaded the album (a bargain) and got the satisfaction of being able to hear it again immediately. The other pieces are equally remarkable, esp. the Gershwin. I love the arrangements and, of course, Gil Shaham is on a par with no one (except maybe Pearlman). I recommend this album with no reservations.

Basically these compositions are like the DJ mixes that play 45 seconds of a great song then move onto another one, again and again. Usually that type of composition nauseates me - so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Shaham and Eguchi play the pieces with a really incredibly level of energy - Incredibly fast playing with such sharp precision. My mind went into hyperdrive when I first listened to the album, I'll definitely be listening to it more than a few times.

I can't imagine anyone not enjoying and appreciating the music making on this album! Gil Shaham is an astonishingly accomplished and polished violinist whose ease at playing belies his amazing technique. Each time I listen to this CD, I am impressed by his impeccable tuning, note after note, even on the highest harmonics and most rapid cadenzas. However, even the best technique can not create true music. Shaham truly feels and conveys the emotion of the music he creates, allowing the music to touch the listener's soul. Akira Eguchi, pianist, is also notable in his ability to shine without overshadowing or dominating the solo violin. The selections on this album aren't necessarily compositions intended for violin and piano, but many are "familiar" to the lay listener. For that reason, I suggest this album to just about anyone, including those who aren't avid classical music fans.

I have never before heard a violinist capable of such expression. Shaham really makes the fiddle sing! He is an absolute virtuoso. Up till the time I heard Shaham... Heifetz was my favorite. Shaham outperforms Heifetz by far.

I recently watch "Amadeus". Gil Shaham is Mozart... everyone else is Salieri.

Gil Shaham's violin playing, accompanied by Akira Eguchi on the piano, is superb, but can anyone tell me why we NEED an album of operatic arias which are "sung" by the violin and not by the voices for which they were written? The photo of Shaham on a bare stage done up in a "Phantom of the Opera" cape & silk scarf lends more cheesiness to this silly venture.