Janine Jansen: Concertos & Romance

Max Bruch (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Riccardo Chailly (Conductor), Gewandhaus Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Gewandhaus Orchestra
• Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
• Composer: Max Bruch, Felix [1] Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (January 9, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000JRYMDU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,151 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Viola

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely refreshing and breathtaking, February 26, 2007

By 

Yu Suo (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janine Jansen: Concertos & Romance (Audio CD)

Janine Jansen first caught my ears when I heard her play the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso on the radio. I remember thinking: "Wow, who played this? I have to find out when I get home."

Since then, I have acquired her Four Seasons recording which has completely redefined the old classic for me. Perhaps it's not as "faithful" as some of the other recordings out there, but it is Janine Jansen's fresh energy and lively interpretation that really gives her playing the uniqueness that words cannot describe.

When I saw her new album featuring my favorite violin concerto, the Mendelssohn, I was immediately tempted to buy it. But as I already own more than 10 recordings of it, I decided to not waste my money on yet another contemporary artist. However, when I heard a high quality sample on iTunes of her Mendelssohn and Bruch, I just COULD NOT prevent myself from buying it.

What makes her recording so attractive are the small but noticeable details in interpretation that truly sets these pieces apart from the hundreds of other recordings. I'm not saying that it's necessarily "better" or "worse" than recordings from Heifetz, Milstein, Oistrach, Menuhin, Perlman, and etc. but Janine Jansen has 100% captured my heart with these superb renditions. Her playing in the final movements of these two concertos are so good that I would not hesitate to make this CD my new first recommendation for those who do not own the Mendelssohn or Bruch violin concertos.

This has by far been my most satisfying CD purchase in a year and will be at the top of my collection :)

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Performances of Mendelssohn and Bruch Pieces from Janine Jansen, Chailly and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, March 11, 2007

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janine Jansen: Concertos & Romance (Audio CD)

Janine Jansen is yet another young violinist I've heard of, but haven't had the pleasure of hearing before. She must be regarded as among the best soloists of her generation, based on the superb technical and lyrical sides to her playing, which reminds me of Hilary Hahn's and Joshua Bell's. Her performance of the Mendelssohn violin concerto is one of the most lyrical I have come across, with a vivid, intense lyricism to it that reminds me so much of Bell's recent recording. I am equally impressed too with her splendid playing of the Bruch violin concerto, especially her fiery, lyrical playing of the second and third movements. I must concur with others who've remarked that her performance of the Bruch romance for viola and orchestra is quite special too, and for many, will be the best reason to purchase this CD. For me another strong reason is to hear the fantastic playing of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, which has experienced an artistic "re-birth" under the skillful guidance of its newest music director, distinguished Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly, transforming it once more into one of Europe's ten best orchestras. Decca's sound engineers have done a superlative job in producing a well-balanced recording emphasizing both Ms. Jansen's exemplary lyrical playing, and the lush, warm vibrant playing of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. While this fine CD may not be my primary recommendation for the Mendelssohn and Bruch pieces, it still earns high praise from me, and for some fellow classical music fans may be the best recordings of these works that they've heard. Indeed, I look forward to hearing other recordings made by this fine young Dutch violinist, who clearly has a promising future awaiting her.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONE for Mendelssohn conerto!, March 28, 2007

By 

Vissi d'arte "Music_Lover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Janine Jansen: Concertos & Romance (Audio CD)

This is an absolutely stunning performance! Although I love Mendelssohn's violin concerto so much I hesitated buying this CD at once. I just had hard time finding the ONE recording for my taste believe or not. However this beautiful young lady impressed me way much more than I expected! Wonderful feeling, power, technique are there with a great tonality. Orchestra/Chally is superb, really a great work all together. I guess this will stop me from hunting for another great recording of the Mendelssohn for a while. By the way, Bruch concerto is also quiet nice (Kyung Hwa Chung's is still my favorite) and the viola romance is just so beautiful! It is hard to get disappointed with this recording so try it!