Customer Reviews

Gil Shaham & Jonathan Feldman - The Devil's Dance

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

People speculated that Paganini sold his soul to the devil to play the way he did. Upon hearing this recording, those same superstitious people might wonder if this is Paganini reincarnated and renamed Gil Shaham. This is a true fireworks show for Gil Shaham, where he shows why he's one of the greatest living violinists in the music world today. His beautiful tone, easy virtuoisty (or so it sounds) and achingly beautiful lyricism are all abundantly evident in this somewhat late celebration of Halloween. Aptly titled, this CD showcases many short pieces for violin and piano that are tests of violinists and treats to listeners. It's a great disc with great melodies and impeccable playing. On this disc, the devil has thrown a dance and he has Gil Shaham playing. Are you attending?

Gil Shaham proves he is one of the best violinists of today. This recording is sheer perfection.....he shows flawless technique and artistry on all the pieces. The music is very "festive" for the Halloween season. It is a highly recommended recording. Everyone who listens will thoroughly enjoy it. And don't listen to what the c.d. cover says scan to 26 seconds before track 1 to hear a frightful surprise!! This is an extremly entertaing c.d. and is a joy to listen to.

Sometimes I forget to breathe-this CD is so mind-blowing! This is the type of CD that you can't help but wave your hands around pretending to conduct the song!........ Ok.... Deep breathes.......o-o...I have to calm down! Now this CD features not just the best musicians but the best composers. They are John Williams (simply the best), Camille Saint-Saens (who composed one of the most famous "spooky" songs: Danse macabre!) ,and John Morris, you know.... Composed the music for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the funniest movie EVER! And guess what the theme song is on the CD!.. The charming yet spooky.........'Young Frankenstein': A Transylvania Lullaby. Hexenlied, one of my favorites, is by MR. Felix Mendelssohn (no he's not Felix the cat!)..........So...many....good.....songs....so.....Little--t-t-time. OK. It's time to wrap things up.....BUY THIS CD, YOU WON'T REGRET IT! :)

I'll say right off that Shaham's technique is top-notch, which is what one expects from such an album. And this is fine playing, with the violin and piano generally blending well.

But while this was clearly intended to be a "concept album," the artists/producers made several puzzling (and frustrating) choices that left me wondering just what the concept was supposed to be. The music is "devilishly difficult" at some times (the Tartini, for example), "creepy and eerie" at others (the "Danse macabre", others). However, several of the pieces are neither dazzingly difficult nor all that creepy - the Brahms and the Mendelssohn, for example, fail both definitions and, frankly, just don't seem to fit on this album. And then, there's the Paganini B-flat caprice - a solo violin piece transcribed for violin and piano, weakening the focus on violin virtuosity - while the Ysaye is left as a solo piece . . . well, a **piece** of a piece - we're given only a part of one movement of a four-movement work that is both very difficult AND built around that ultimate "creepy" theme, the "Dies Irae." Why only part of a single movement?

The net effect of all this is an album that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. It's almost as if someone committed to an album concept without making sure there was enough material to fill the album. Further quibbles: the violin is placed somewhat too far back, for my taste; on a virtuoso album, I want to be "up close" to catch all the nuances of the performance. And the balance between violin and piano is less than ideal at times, at least to my ear.

As I said, the playing is fine; it's the concept execution that falls short of "as advertised."

While not always frightening as much as classical music with a Halloween theme, this is a fine recording to play at parties if the guests fancy this kind of music. The title refers to the Devil's Dance, for violin & piano from the film Witches of Eastwick, a work composed by John Williams. It is followed by A Transylvanian Rhapsody from the comic film Young Frankeinstein. The most famous piece of all "Danse Macabre" was Saint Saens' ghoulish work that nearly caused his mother a heart attack at the premire. Using stage effects like smoke and mist, Saint Saens had dancing skeletons waltzing on stage. The Devil Trill Sonata by Tartini has a frightening story behind it. It was rumored that the composer dreamt that the Devil gave him the score to this violin piece. It is played at an impossible speed and is one of the most difficult violin pieces ever composed. Only few violinists take on this piece. The music on this album is however not as scary as some other classical Halloween CD's out there but violin afficionados will be quite delighted.

Shaham woos and wins the hearts of many again with yet another successful display of his talents and potentials as one of the leading violinists in the world. Witty, mischievious, funny are just some of the words i can think of to describe his playing. Not only high on entertainment value, the sheer wizardry of his mastery style of playing is enough to keep my ears glued to my headphones for that 70 mins of music.
Interesting repertoire from Tartini to John Williams and especially the seldom heard "concert fantasy on gounod's faust" by Sarasate - a good alternative to the much often played and recorded carmen fantasy.
A definite must-have for fans of Shaham or violin music or those who just want to experience the sheer thrill and excitement of a good hour's worth of music!

Passion, Intensity and Virtuosity....This artist is new to me because I'm from the world of "horn-blowers", (clarinet). Having just taken up violin at the old age of 44, I heard a bit of this on the radio and had to call immediately to find out WHO this artist was. This will not dissapoint ANYONE, musician or listener. I'm sending one to my Dad, a trumpet player...imagine that! Gil Shaham doesn't just "play" his instrument....he demands - and GETS the most from incredible response from his Strad.....the perfect partner for his incredible talent.

This new cd from Gil Shaham confirms his position as the greatest living violinist. He has everything that could be asked for - dazzling virtuosity, charm, elegance, expressivity, humour and anything else that you could wish for. I recommend this cd without reservation.

Everything about ordering to receiving this CD was brilliant. The evening (South African time) of 11/8/11 I ordered this CD. It was posted on 11/8/11 in Florida and arrived on 11/17/11 at our post office in South Africa. After I fetched it today I have listened to magical music. Thank you Amazon and all your associates. To achieve this level of perfection I am sure the devil must have been asleep.

Right up front I have to say that I have great respect for Gil Shaham's renditions of more serious works and I also think this album is just plain fun. However, for a thematically identical recording, Rachel Barton's "Instrument of the Devil" beats it, hands down. First of all, the non-coincident selections are more consistent with the theme. Secondly, Rachel just plays better. An obvious example is on Bazzini's "Dance of the Goblins," neither violinist plays it perfectly, but she plays it with a real flair and he seems to be struggling to keep up. Overall, Barton and her partner(s) play with more energy, more gusto than Shaham and his pianist.