Hilary Hahn - Barber & Meyer: Violin Concertos

Samuel Barber (Composer), Edgar Meyer (Composer), Hugh Wolff (Conductor), Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Hugh Wolff
• Composer: Samuel Barber, Edgar Meyer
• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004RBXW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,330 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two enjoyable American concertos, March 24, 2000

By 

V. Wilson (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hilary Hahn - Barber & Meyer: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

Here we have a disc combining the famous Barber concerto with a new concerto by Edgar Meyer (whose music I'm sure I've never heard before and therefore did not know what to expect). It proves an apt coupling as both pieces have "Americana" stamped all over them.

The Barber receives a warmly romantic performance from Ms. Hahn, who does not seem afraid of judiciously applied rubato to make her point. Perhaps she lacks a little toughness in the moto perpetuo finale, which seems bland, but the first two movements are soulful.

What makes this version special, however, is the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Such a small ensemble means leaner textures, which allows all Barber's wonderful orchestral touches to shine out. In a few of the big romantic moments, some may miss the richer sound a larger string body would produce, but I didn't.

Buyers needn't be scared of the Meyer concerto either. Although it uses a few modern techniques, it mostly sounds like bluegrass combined with Aaron Copland's orchestral sensibility. In fact, I often got the impression that it ought to be background music for a Hollywood romance set in Kansas.

While not a masterpieces by any means (listen to it and then the Barber and you'll see the difference), the Meyer is a pleasant piece with some nice touches. Placed after the Barber, it certainly won't make you run to turn off the CD player after the Barber finishes. Hahn seems to have fun with the piece.

If I have one cavil about this disc it's the wretchedly short playing time (49 minutes). There is plenty of space for another piece--say Carlos Chavez's Concerto which desperately needs a good new version.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Meyer Concerto!, March 23, 2000

By 

Lev Zhurbin "ljova" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hilary Hahn - Barber & Meyer: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

This is a remarkable disc, in the sense that a 19 year old kid is already being commissioned concerti for. I never previously thought of Hilary as the type to do contemporary music, but I guess 'tis part of her "precocious" image to be surprising.

At any rate, the recording of the Barber is perhaps as best as that piece can be recorded, and the last movement is sparkling with clarity, at a pace that's faster than (any other) speeding locomotive.

==> The real find in this disc, however, is the Meyer concerto, which is an absolutely gorgeous piece, so relevant in our turbulent new age. It is full of many styles and derivations, but the result is something completely unique (I feel), and extremely convincing.

It is unusual that I listen to any piece of new music more than once - yet the Meyer has found a way into my favorites, and I hope will find a way into yours as well. The performance of the Meyer (I assume the composer was present during the sessions) is great.

What next, Hilary?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, April 11, 2000

By 

John S. Abma (Springfield, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hilary Hahn - Barber & Meyer: Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

The Barber/Meyer CD is just wonderful. The Barber benefits from familiarity, and Hilary's performance is great. The final "unplayable" last movement is both playable and musical. The Meyer is mysterious, with chorale-like passages. In movement two, the double-stops and polyphony are difficult and done to perfection.

I get the impression that Hilary Hahn is taking us all on a musical exploration. Her home page has journals or "postcards" from her world-wide tours. These, with her CD's are fresh adventures both for her and us.