Customer Reviews

Joshua Bell - Poème ~ Chausson · Massenet · Saint-Saëns · Ravel / RPO · Litton

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Joshua Bell's style of music is true a testament of his soul. You don't need to know much about classical music to appreciate the beauty in his music. There's no better version of Meditation de Thais-than this. See "Red Violin", he does the music for the score and also makes a cameo appearance as a violinist in the symphony.

What can I say? The first time I heard his rendition of "Meditation" I almost cried, I was so moved by it. I am not the type easily moved to tears, either. Chausson's Poeme is also ravishingly beautiful. I'm afraid to listen to anyone else's recordings of this piece now! He plays it so- forgive me- poetically. Bell should've been winning Grammys ever since he finished recording this CD. Why he never does is completely beyond me. This guy is unstoppable! He has the Midas' touch with any piece. Hopefully the fact that he is no longer in his twenties will give him a little more credit in the eyes of his stodgier detractors. Pity that they can't accept him for the young but amazing talent that he is.

Executed beautifully, Mr. Bell has selected such wonderful pieces. Often, my eyes have filled with tears at the marvelous melodies my ears were privileged to hear. I have seen Mr. Bell in live performance and he is a consummate artist, but this cd is very special. I also purchased "Romance" where unusual compositions, not always connected with the violin, were utilized. My favorite of that particular cd, is "Casta Diva". I recommend both with enthusiasm. I suspect this is what Art should accomplish ... to make one more aware of their humanity (hopefully).

Joshua Bell's honeyed sound is never more apparent than on this wonderful CD. Romantic, lyrical, and passionate, this CD will not disappoint Joshua Bell fans and will win over many others. Violin music rarely gets better than this!

I loved the Red Violin; the film and the score. Joshua Bell played the solo pieces on the score. Truly extraordinary. And that is all I knew of Joshua Bell.
Fast Forward.
I had heard the Massenet piece on ARTS (classical MTV). Didn't know the title, but did catch the composer's name. Went online, searched the composer, then started streaming available pieces until I heard the one that I wanted. As luck would have it, this CD had the piece I wanted. I ordered it, and was stunned by the tour de force playing by Joshua Bell. There is nothing, NOTHING, in the liner notes that tells me anything about Joshua Bell. But now I know why he was chosen to play on The Red Violin. This guy plays one mean violin.
The pieces on this CD (with the possible exception of the Massenet piece) are all virtuoso pieces, requiring, in my estimation, complete mastery of the violin while willing to take it right to edge.
What a CD!!

Bell was in his early twenties when he recorded this album of famous violin showpieces with Andrew Litton and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra -- but you never would have guessed he was that young merely by listening.

Indeed, Bell has a great feel for this exciting and emotional music. His readings are mature and well-thought out; this is a fairly good disc that I would recommend to just about anyone.

Every violinist records the Sarasate and Saint-Saens however Joshua Bell's recording is so precise and magical that you should listen to it at least once. My favorite piece on the CD is Chausson's Poeme -- what a stunning (difficult) piece. The Tzigane is quite unique too, so if you need a great recording of violin's major show pieces grab one with Josh Bell on the cover.

Bell performs the most persuasive rendering of Massenet's meditation I have ever heard and I have many recordings of this piece (I think eight in all) from Stern to Mutter. His technical prowess is impeccable as evidenced in the lightning-paced speed and accuracy of the Tzigane performance. However, it is Bell's sensitivity and unerring lyricism that takes the breath away. I would also like to recommend his performance of the Barber concerto which has recently superceded all previous recordings in my estimation.

This is an excelent CD and along with the Barber/Walton got me hooked on Joshua Bell.

1. Intro. and Rondo Capriccioso: A great performance. One of the best I've heard. And I've heard several.

2. Meditation: The best performance I've heard, the original version.

3. Zigeunerweisen: Second only to Heifitz.

4. Poeme: Although I still like the Heifitz version better, Bell's is a more soulful, true to the original, perfomance.

5. Caprice After Saint-Saens: A good performance of a not to wonderful showpeice.

6. Tzigane: Oh, the wonderful Tzigane. This is absolutely the best performance you will ever hear of the Tzigane. If for nothing else buy this CD just for this piece. Bell gives an amazing, heartfelt, dramatic performance that definitely qualifies as briliant.

One of my favorite CDs.

This CD is a collection of the most well-known violin pieces. Josh played most of them very well, but I especially love his interpretation of Massenet's Meditation (better than Mutter's and most other violinists' versions). Josh is so gentle and melancholy, and he can completely express the mixed feelings of Thais in the opera. On the other hand, his performance of Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen seems too slow and weak. I definitely think that Gil Shaham's version is better.