Customer Reviews

Gypsy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Its fair to say that violinist Lara St. John projects a public image that can be described as provocative, daring, uninhibited and free-spirited (forget the open top here - check out the bold leather blazer, confident hand on hip, daring look in her eyes and violin at the ready). While such an attitude may not be to the taste of all, it would seem ideally suited for bringing out the drama and passion of Gypsy-inspired music - a genre of music definately not for the timid or academic-at-heart.

Indeed such music is far from the formal restraints of Bach which this Canadian violinist first made her mark. But judging from the tantilizing result here, Miss St. John's personna and talents are a great match for this music. Also a factor must have been her frequent trips in her youth to the epicenters of this tradition - Russia, Yugoslavia and Hungary - which perhaps awakened the Gypsy-within. Regardless, she is stellar in this Gypsy repertoire on this CD - as is her musical partner, Israeli pianist Ilan Rechtman.

While more-aquainted with music from Bach to Brahms, I was not too familar with the music of this genre before hearing this CD - so I had no idea what to expect. And I also cannot say how her readings here compare to X, Y or Z. But, I have to say most every piece on the CD caught my interest and admiration and jazzed me. While Miss St. John is the cover star of this recording, pianist Rechtman is equally engaging from the piano. I was impressed with his clear sense of direction and non-intrusive flair in the music - and especially his three original arrangements (the Gypsy Nocturne being particularly poetic and moving).

St. John and Rechtman show wonderful synergy here with crisp ensemble, elegance when needed (Chornye) and with the right intensity and bravura to ignite the spirit behind the compositions. Showmanship is a big part of Gypsy, and both these musicians step up confidently - but not in an annoying way - producing a most electrifying and satisfying result. St. John brings great nuance of color, inflection and flair to her lines that are sung with a similtaneous gorgeous and evocative quality (in Ravel and Bartok especially). Equally fascinating is her harmonics, pizacatto and bowing subtleties in Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" that are downright mezmerizing. Whether all indididual touches are part of the score, I am not entirely sure; but it seems vituoso diversions are inherent in such music.

I found each work musically fascinating, tonally gorgeous and with the ability to hold you in suspense throughout the piece. The range of selections is excellent: from the serene and rhapsodic "Gypsy Nocturne" ... to the graceful lyricism of Kriesler ... to the virtuostic and passionate Sarasate piece ... to the curiously-emotive modern works from Bartok and Ravel. The quirky Bartok number may be her most intelligently conceived effort of the program which she plays with great furvour. I thought her Sarasate was pretty hot and matched the spirit embodied in the music. The Carmen piece is, well, perhaps the least interesting composition here with its wearisome sliding violin riffs that are a really a poor substitute for true virtuso writing (no fauly of St. John). But, in all of these, St. John coaxes fascinating nuances of timbre along with a huge, powerful tone from her instrument, well-earning her merits as a "soloist par-excellence."

Other highlights include a very compelling history of the origins of Gypsy music (orginating from low-caste tribes from India) and a rather lengthy description of the HDCD and 56-bit digital signal processing technology used for this recording (Sonic Solutions). The technical talk here is not hype as the recording quality is indeed absolutely brilliant: super clear, super vivid and with a nice balance between instruments. It really allows the music to come alive and out of the speakers. In fact, I would say it is one of the best-sounding CD's I have out of a few hundred.

In summary, this fine duo find a marvelous spirit and rhythm within this music and give a most invigorating performance that commands as much attention as the violinist's cover photos. (In case you are wondering, Miss St. John is 34 this year of 2006). But, more should be said about the fine pianist, Ilan Richtman, whose spirited pianism creates a energetized backdrop for St. John's pyrotechnics (but who is unfortunately missing from the cover photo). Fascinating music, dazzling performances, super-realistic sound and a surprize favorite. 5 stars.

Gypsy

How cool is that? The champion of the 2008 USA Olympic Team, gold medal winning gymnast Nastia Liukin used this CD, the song 'Variations on Dark Eyes,' as her floor routine music. Arranged by the pianist on this recording, Ilan Rechtman. Fabulous!

This CD left me speechless. I have never, ever heard the Bizet Carmen Fantasy played with such excitement, passion and virtuosity before. It makes Maxim Vengerov's recording of it look trivial. Somehow, Lara St. John manages to play like a gypsy. Here's what I reccomend: Ignore the cover;her music is worth it. Bravo, Lara St. John! I would like to hear her playing the Bartok Rumanian Dances next!

There is no doubt that Lara St. John demonstrated her incredible talent and violin genius in this album. In doing so however, the improvs to show technique in some instances overshadowed the melody. Some portions of the famous traditional Occhi Chornye (Dark Eyes) were barely recognizable. If you would like to be impressed by violin virtuoso technique, this is the album for you. If you'd like to enjoy piano and violin gypsy combo however, I recommend Sergei Trofanov's "Gypsy Passion". Start with Tzigane Russe and I guarantee you'll hear piano and violin techniques which are awesome and yet, maintain the integrity of the composition for the true Gypsy violin lovers. _Raoul Watson

What a great album and what a stupid album cover! I love the music, the pianist and violinist are so talented....the music they play on the CD is awsome. They could have done a better cover though, I think that it totally does not agree with the content and takes away from it's greatness. I noticed though that all of Lara's Cd covers [are bad], which is too bad.

I a world filled with outstanding violinists, it is often a daunting prospect to find one who truly rises up and demands recognition. Lara is one such artist, and this recording will show you why. Recorded using high-definition technology, one can truly appreciate the virtuosity and compelling interpretation of works from Bartok and Waxman (among others). Highly recommended.

This is a fantastic record, a legendary record, and you have to hear it for yourself. Nowhere before Lara St. John have I heard such passion, such dazzling technique, and such depth of interpretation in these pieces. Nobody else - Perlman, Rosand, Sarah Chang -- even comes close. This is a performer that is a born Gypsy, a born entertainer, and, at the same time, a truly profound musician.

On this record, she is joined by Ilan Rechtman, who is a well-matched accomplice, and a super-witty arranger.

I love this record!

The violinist on this album is just out of this world. What an artist!!! Her technic is amazing, her musicality is breath-taking, her spirit is just one of a kind. Together with her pianist and arranger Ilaan Rechtman, they have created one of my very favorite CDs. I never get tired of the music. It is both easy to listen and yet, deep and most interesting. I highly recommend this to every type of a listener. My favorite track is Carmen Fantasy. It makes all the other Carmen renditions I've heard totally pale in comparison. Don't miss this great album.

Overall, this wasn't a bad album, just a silly one. Most of these "gypsy" themed confections are throwaway encore pieces anyway, and one really cannot fill an album with nothing but encores. Thus, a few genuinely weighty compositions from Ravel & Bartok are necessary to fill out the album as a whole.

Sadly, she struggles at times with the Tzigane and gives an interpretation that I did not care for at all. What appears to be some overly close miking did not help matters, as one can at times hear her fingers hitting the strings & fingerboard, as well as occasional scratchy bowing.

The Bartok, however --- this gives me hope that perhaps some day Lara St. John can get away from dippy albums such as this and concentrate on making some real music. There is real, honest-to-goodness musical sophistacation to be found here. Why can't she do this all of the time?

It's a beautifully produced recording of passionate violin playing, with all the fire, brilliance, sweetness of sound, and varied colors of gypsy storytelling.

Brava to Lara St. John!