Customer Reviews

Hilary Hahn: A Portrait

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What a great idea, to make a documentary of violinist Hilary Hahn traveling around the world and concertizing. Undoubtedly at the top of her profession, Hahn never fails to amaze with her unmistakably gorgeous tone, enviable precision, and brilliant musicality. This DVD "portrait" includes personal footage of Hahn backstage at the Philharmonie in Berlin, as well as a tour at the Curtis Institute, a recording session at Abbey Road Studios, and a trip to Hong Kong. In an age of music commercialism, Hahn is refreshingly real and self-deprecating. Included on this DVD are excerpts from the Korngold Concerto, Mozart Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major, The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, Chaconne from Partita in D minor by Bach, and the Paganini Concerto No. 1. On the menu there is additional concerto footage, which includes the Korngold Concerto and Mozart sonata in their entirety - thank goodness, because there's nothing more aggravating than replaying excerpts. If for nothing else, buy the DVD for these complete live recordings, because they are absolutely sublime. The outer movements of the Korngold sound a lot like film music, which the classical music lover may or may not like, but the second movement is incredibly beautiful and highly recommended. The Mozart sonata is also very well played, but this is nothing new as Hahn has already released a recording of this. This DVD is important because it contains video footage of Hahn performing - the only other DVD where you can find her playing is The Last Night of the Proms, in which she plays the Mozart Concerto No. 4 in D Major and Presto from Sonata No. 1 by Bach, but the sound quality is somewhat lacking and certainly doesn't do justice to Hahn.

This DVD is what it says it is, a portrait. Hilary Hahn comes off as genuine and insightful throughout. She is also a talent of wit and humor as well, such as in her tour of Curtis Institute that had a real improvised quality about it and spontaneity. The concert footage is very good. For example, we get to see Hilary perform the entire Korngold concerto (a personal favorite of mine), live in concert. A definite treat is to get to see her play violin for those that don't get to see concerts very often. She gives us a view of what her years at Curtis were like, (sitting at the back of the violins in the school orchestra and pumpkin carving), views on the contemporary recording process, as well as what it is like to travel around the world at the top of her profession. Lots of interviews, lots of candid footage.

I have not even gotten to watch the entire DVD yet and already I am very impressed. Some the the insightful things Ms. Hahn says regarding her performances could (and should) be used for college, or even high school, speech classes. But the music is what makes the DVD. Any classical music fan, especially any fan of Hilary's, needs to buy this DVD.

I "discovered" Hilary Hahn when I purchased her recording of Beethoven's violin concerto. The first thing that popped into my mind was "Is this for real?" I was hearing emotions of such depth that it was hard to believe someone so young could be producing this sound. Then I did a little research and was equally impressed with her other recordings. When I found out about this DVD I couldn't wait to order it. Needless to say it has become one of my favorite videos. I now have all of her recordings and eagerly await her future recordings. Hilary Hahn may be young but her musicianship and technique put her in the highest ranks of classical musicians.

For fans of Hilary Hahn's music, this hour-long documentary is a welcome look into her touring life and personality. Hahn guides us around her music academy, the Curtis Institute, there's some short performances and recording sessions, a glimpse into Hahn's life on the road and some interviews probing her views on musical interpretation, recording, and performance. The camera-work and editing are serviceable and about what you'd expect from a television program.

Hahn seems to do her best to entertain the camera but ultimately the program presents what Hahn is willing to share with the public. She specifically avoids divulging her views on anything extra-musical-- not a bad stance for a musician, of course-- but it means there's absolutely zero in the way of controversial, juicy or edgy material on the DVD.

There's some bonus scenes featuring her collaboration with Natalie Zhu, but both come across as a bit stiff in front of the camera here.

Overall, a decent hour of programming for fans of Hilary or classical music in general.

Fans of Hilary Hahn will be familiar with her honesty, through the liner notes of her albums. They will also be familiar with the unique power of selection in the music recorded on her albums.
Her music is both uniquely beautiful, and unbelievably difficult. I believe she is drawn to pieces that have been accused of being unplayable. This is what makes her music so easy to love.
Any Hilary Hahn recording is worth every second of your time. You will be left staring in disbelief at your speakers, possibly listening & relistening to particular passages, thinking that you can't have just heard what you thought you just heard.
Her honesty shines throughout the DVD. With other artists, one wonders quite frequently if they are just saying things they want you to hear as opposed to being honest. Hilary Hahn is as honest with her fans, and I believe more importantly, as honest with herself as one can be.
Again, worth every second.
Play it & replay it, along with her albums (or is "cd" a more proper term these days?).

Hilary is a fantastic violinist. Her tempi are a bit fast, but she can handle the speed much like Anthony Newman on the organ or harpsichord.

If you want a great recording of the Bach Violin concerti, this is it!

It's a great performance of Korngold Violin Concerto. The body of the movie is really not that long but OK. I wish there are more of her performance clips at her younger age. I guess that's why it's not a documentary movie but a portrait.

It is an excellent view on her playing and it gives you a good look on her person. The documentary gives you a feeling of a save place in the fast moving world. It is time to relax and to enjoy the music. It was the first experience with Hilary Hahn. I saw the documentary on German television. It is nearly six years away but it is always a pleasure to see it. The documentary is for me a view on her person and a classical documentary of the artist. The documentary takes care of the artist and shows her in a new way. It is not a marketing hype to make money. It is a very personal view on her ideas and her inspiration. Hilary Hahn takes us on a musical journey. The Curtis Institute is the core of the documentary. It gives us a look behind her education in the college but it is very personally. She introduces the Curtis Institute to the viewer and gives her own personal feeling with it. It shows the people she worked with especially her amazing playing with Natalie Zhu. The little things that gave her support and what frighten her. The joy on her Asian tour and little concerts she played. Her interest in the Asian culture and that she wants to learn more of it. The recording session in London is filmed. It is a focus on the lark ascending CD. The intensity of her profession and the lightness of her playing makes it a totally gift for you. The violin concert by Korngold and the recording of Mozart are the musical highlights on the DVD. She is always very cute and it gives you a short inside of her touring life.

I love this portrait of the wonderful Ms. Hahn. However, why is there no recording of this lovely Korngold with Ms. Hahn? The DVD is great, but what if you just want to hear the lovely Korngold with Ms. Hahn on record.