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Editorial Reviews
The two-time Grammy winning violinist releases the world-premiere recording of Jennifer Higdon's 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning concerto, paired with the popular Tchaikovsky concerto.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By H. T.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hilary Hahn, once again, gracefully proves her fearless and mature artistry through the daunting Higdon concerto and the very well-known Tchaikovsky concerto. It is clear that Hahn never settles for mere virtuosic ostentation. Turning away from the gaudy approach that many violinists take toward the Tchaikovsky concerto, Hahn delves into the music and interprets it in a restrained but most heartfelt manner. She doesn't wrestle with the piece; she dances with it and lets it speak for itself. The Higdon concerto is just wonderful. It captures Hahn's energy and artistic consistency very well. Throughout the two concerti, Hahn can be seen as either Athena in a tough battle shining with her wisdom and perfect control or a young lady in an idyllic landscape embodying purity and evoking nostalgia. Hahn's versatility is admirable.
It is, however, unfortunate that some listeners can't pick up this beautiful music in the noise of their prejudices. Some can't get over Hahn's physical youth and something as absurd as their own resistance to the Tchaikovsky concerto's popularity, to judge the music for what it is. I encourage you to listen to the music with an open mind and appreciate what Hahn has accomplished with this recording.
It is, however, unfortunate that some listeners can't pick up this beautiful music in the noise of their prejudices. Some can't get over Hahn's physical youth and something as absurd as their own resistance to the Tchaikovsky concerto's popularity, to judge the music for what it is. I encourage you to listen to the music with an open mind and appreciate what Hahn has accomplished with this recording.
39 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would normally only talk in a review about my visceral observations of the performance as the Classical piece being played is often well known. This is surely true of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. However, since the Higdon Violin Concerto is enjoying its premier recording on this CD, it may be necessary for me to break my own rule this once.
The Higdon Concerto is done on a grand scale. It is modern in style (meaning you aren't going to be whistling it anywhere) but its subtle melodies are never obscured by the type of ugly discordance found in much of the non-romantic modern repertoire. The piece has a tremendous amount of power and energy that brought me many a smile on my initial hearing.
I also must say that if I did not have a hearing aid I would surely not have heard most of the beginning of the first movement as it is full of harmonics way above my age-onset hearing loss. The third movement is exciting, played at a breakneck pace that may have been inspired by Miss Hahn's performance of the Barber third movement. Jennifer Higdon was right when she said that it sounds like Miss Hahn plays the third movement of her (Higdon's) concerto as if she had six fingers! As for its beauty, you can judge for yourself. Music is felt in the soul and many parts of this piece touched mine.
As for Hilary Hahn's performance of both pieces she is in typically amazing form. The phrasing, tonality and technique in these pieces are flawless and inspiring. She has the refreshing ability to put the music above her virtuosity and turn the technically monstrous passages into beautiful and graceful compliments to the spirit of the piece she is playing.
Many have commented that the Violin in Tchaikovsky's concerto was not written in a "violinistic" fashion. Miss Hahn proves them wrong and then some. What a wonderfully different listen this concerto is to the many interpretations I have heard over the years. She chose to play the original Tchaikovsky score rather than the Leopold Auer version so often used in the general repertoire (possibly for the criticisms mentioned at the start of this paragraph). I think her interpretation may inspire future violinist to consider the composers version of this piece as she points sign-posts in a fascinating and beautiful direction.
For the low price of this cd on Amazon, it would be a shame not to own it. The Tchaikovsky alone is worth the price of admission!
The Higdon Concerto is done on a grand scale. It is modern in style (meaning you aren't going to be whistling it anywhere) but its subtle melodies are never obscured by the type of ugly discordance found in much of the non-romantic modern repertoire. The piece has a tremendous amount of power and energy that brought me many a smile on my initial hearing.
I also must say that if I did not have a hearing aid I would surely not have heard most of the beginning of the first movement as it is full of harmonics way above my age-onset hearing loss. The third movement is exciting, played at a breakneck pace that may have been inspired by Miss Hahn's performance of the Barber third movement. Jennifer Higdon was right when she said that it sounds like Miss Hahn plays the third movement of her (Higdon's) concerto as if she had six fingers! As for its beauty, you can judge for yourself. Music is felt in the soul and many parts of this piece touched mine.
As for Hilary Hahn's performance of both pieces she is in typically amazing form. The phrasing, tonality and technique in these pieces are flawless and inspiring. She has the refreshing ability to put the music above her virtuosity and turn the technically monstrous passages into beautiful and graceful compliments to the spirit of the piece she is playing.
Many have commented that the Violin in Tchaikovsky's concerto was not written in a "violinistic" fashion. Miss Hahn proves them wrong and then some. What a wonderfully different listen this concerto is to the many interpretations I have heard over the years. She chose to play the original Tchaikovsky score rather than the Leopold Auer version so often used in the general repertoire (possibly for the criticisms mentioned at the start of this paragraph). I think her interpretation may inspire future violinist to consider the composers version of this piece as she points sign-posts in a fascinating and beautiful direction.
For the low price of this cd on Amazon, it would be a shame not to own it. The Tchaikovsky alone is worth the price of admission!
29 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD is simply amazing. Hilary, once again, never ceases to amaze me. The Higdon violin concert is a beautiful piece. It really shows off Hilary's perfect skill, especially the cadenza in the first movement. I've never heard anything like it before...ever. This recording is much better at displaying her dynamic contrasts. In her concerts she has the ability to fill the hall with her sound even over the orchestra or play so quietly that you feel the need to lean in to hear every note. This is the first recording of her that has captured a portion of that. After her release of the Shonberg and Sibelius, Hilary had really stepped up her game. She plays the Tchaikovsky with an entirely different interpretation and with amazing ease. Her approach almost cradles the music like a loving mother. Some sections that are played without much care by most violinists, are really emphasized and phrased properly.
If you are the critique that doesn't generally like Hilary, try this CD. You may find this recording exciting and fresh.
If you are the critique that doesn't generally like Hilary, try this CD. You may find this recording exciting and fresh.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Higdon; good Tchaikovsky
When somebody writes a piece of serious music just for you, you'd do well to show your appreciation. Read more
Published 1 month ago by John J. Puccio
4.0 out of 5 stars
Higdon violin concerto
Nice playing but the piece is an example of academic classical music. The third movement is worth waiting for but Hahn's tone is a bit too thin at times.
Published 3 months ago by Tribalbass
5.0 out of 5 stars
"I Can't Play the Violin but I'm An Expert"
Hilary Hahn has busted out a ton of recordings fast and I think she's proved her consistency. All her recordings are flawless and played the way the composer and violin teachers... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Paul Vohra
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five stars for Higdon . . . Tchaikovsky? not so much
First of all, Jennifer Higdon's violin concerto -- of which this is the world premiere recording, played by its dedicatee -- is much the more interesting piece on this disc, and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stanley Crowe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the purchase (and your time to listen)
I've been meaning to write a review of Hahn's recording of the Higdon and Tchaikovsky concerti for some time, but have struggled to put in words exactly how I feel about the album. Read more
Published 9 months ago by C Dub
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great to hear Tchaikovsky Concerto with Heart...
Great Ms. Hahn performance, maybe for many "critics here" is a boring version, but this is a version that the public can understand, is played so beautifully. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Christian Jimenez
3.0 out of 5 stars
a multilayer CD
Both violin concerts are a beautiful interpretation. The first one is very soft and goes with intensity. It is a modern form of the classical repertoire. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Bernd Kotz
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Higdon doesn't quite come together as a concerto
To start on a positive note, I liked the violin part in the Higdon Concerto, as well as Hahn's playing of it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ursiform
1.0 out of 5 stars
Another CD for Hilary's Fans
Once again I am disappointed by a Hilary Hahn CD. The Tchaikovsky lacks fire and is marred by tentative moments that seem at odds with the soloist's reputation as a great... Read more
Published 19 months ago
3.0 out of 5 stars
Higdon & Tchaikovsky Violin Concertos
Higdon & Tchaikovsky Violin Concertos is a Deutsche Grammophon recording from 2010 under the direction of Vasily Petrenko who leads the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Bjorn Viberg
