Customer Reviews

Homage (CD & DVD)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a way to do a comparison! Given by one of the "genius" artists (as one of my friends calls Ehnes), gives listeners the best possible sound these wonderful instruments can make, "almost" show-casing one after the other, beautifully played (as only Ehnes can), wonderful pieces, simple arrangement to highlight even more the violin sound and melody and Ehnes' superb technique. Just wish I could hear them directly and with many more pieces ;) Highly recommended. I thought I would just skip through the DVD but I was glued to the film as the technical details of each instrument were explained and compared, close up on the special construction of some, with some historical facts. (If anyone has ever listened to the chinese erhu I recommend you listen carefully to track 9 to have a comparison within a comparison)

the video and audio quality is top drawer

as close as we will ever get to these gems

A "public service" to all violin players and lovers of the fine instruments

will leave you breathless

Most of us will never even touch a Stradivarius or a Guarneri let alone own a dozen or so, as David Fulton does. But here is the next best thing for only $30. Maybe even better. Not only do you see each of the dozen or so instruments in the collection, but James Ehnes has carefully selected a virtuoso piece to bring out the best in each instrument. This DVD looks and sounds top drawer in every respect: the performance and the photography of the instrument and performer. Ehnes mastery of these instruments has to be seen to be believed, his control of the bow is peerless. (You also get to see bows that cost as much or more than a Porsche).

Techies will likely remember FoxPro, which David Fulton invented. When Microsoft bought him out, guess what he did with the proceeds? This DVD is a showcase in which no expense has been spared, and I doubt if it would recoup its production cost.

I hafta say I was blown away by it. And one reviewer said Ehnes is not a violinist's violinist? He is jaw droppingly good! Ask a violinist how "easy" it is to do the stuff he does. I might add that the photography really foregrounds Ehnes' superb technique.

Here is an excellent player playing some extremely fine violins. You probably have to be something of an aficionado to hear a lot of difference between these top end violins. To the lay person great violins all tend to sound like great violins so for us he might as well have played the same one each time. However, given that his playing is also consistently excellent, this is a musical treat, a veritable chocolate box containing a wonderful assortment of songs.

I received my CD/DVD set a few days ago. I am so happy that I ordered this because it is so beautifully done! I especially love to hear James playing, so very clear and expressive. He talks about each violin a little, and then plays it. This is wonderful to see these remarkable instruments together. I enjoyed greatly both the CD and the DVD. I have already shared this collection with others, as I really love it!! Thanks for recording it, James and for allowing the use of these beautiful instruments, Mr. Fulton. On the CD, he does play the same piece of music, but doing it on each violin, so that the listener can hear if there is a difference. Just to think of seeing and hearing so many old and beautiful instruments, together on the same recording.....great opportunity. One of the violins has never been recorded before.

I haven't watched the DVD yet - but the CD is glorious!! The artistry amazes, the sound enchants, and I just didn't want it to ever end! Absolutely wonderful!!

Wonderful playing of a group of lovely instruments. James Ehnes has given all string instrument lovers a great gift.

Received Homage in less than a week, exceptional CD, exceptional service. I have never had a CD that I have enjoyed more. The quality of the instruments that Mr. Ehnes played to make this CD were the top in the world and I enjoyed every minute of the recording.

This is a really good CD. I'm taking Violin lessons now and I love to hear different people play. This is a good buy and I got it in just a few days. Great experience with Amazon. I've always had great and fast service with them.

Summary of this is: shots of various old Italian violins and violas with descriptions of each instrument "this is an amazing instrument blah blah" then some footage of various show pieces.

The playing is very good but not special. There is no doubt that he is a fine violinist and I have several of his recordings but he is not really a violinist's violinist.

Would be impossible to tell which instrument was which from the playing but then lets face it a good violinist will make just about any instrument sound good and tends to seek a particular sound from each instrument...