Customer Reviews

Joshua Bell. Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski.

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Joshua Bell showed up on my TV screen, for the New Year's concert in which he was the soloist to perform popular pieces, such as those of Fritz Kreisler. I was watching him with weary, suspicious eyes. What can this young man (notice the reverse age discrimination on my part) teach me about these old popular virtuoso pieces? How can this "kid" from Indiana soothe my nostalgia for these pieces that I associate with "the good, old Europe"?
By the time the concert was over, I have found out that Joshua Bell, now Maestro Bell rather than "the kid from Indiana", not only captured, but improved these old violin favorites! I rushed immediately to order his records.
On the double CD "Violin Favourites & Virtuoso Showpieces", Maestro Bell plays Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski and other composers.
This phenomenal violinist plays these pieces with an unprecedented elegance and sophistication. Most importantly, he does not suffocate his listeners with his emotions, but instead he offers a refined performance with lots of musical space for the listeners to put their five cents worth of musical emotions. He has completely rejected the idea of any schmaltz, which has unfortunately become a signature for many of these pieces. Instead, he concentrates upon and captures the intrinsic beauty of this music.
I must address his virtuosity. He is so phenomenal, that I think that Paganini could not do it any better. Maestro Bell, I feel, is not really interested in dazzling his audience (although it happens automatically), but is simply exploring the limits of what violin as an instrument and he as a performer can offer. His left- and right-hand pizzicatos, double stops, harmonics, and staccatos at a very fast pace, make violin sounds so much more exciting. His virtuosity is in service of the interpretation of the pieces he plays.
Listen carefully to Maestro Bell! You can hear every note separately, no matter how fast he plays. You may wonder how fast Maestro Bell can play. In my opinion, if he played any faster, my ears could not detect the separate notes! His playing deserves an Olympic Gold Medal!
He plays popular pieces, such as those of Kreisler, which some listeners, who consider themselves sophisticated, look down upon. And yet, these may be the pieces that they often enjoy the most, out of the entire concert, when they are played as an encore. They would never admit it! Maestro Bell's sophisticated performance of these pieces has given such listeners an opportunity to come out of their closets and enjoy Kreisler openly. They can then join the rest of us who think that there is nothing wrong with the pretty music that many generations of listeners love.
This recording is an absolute must for anybody who ever played the violin. It will make you recapture your youthful love for this beautiful instrument, which Maestro Bell shows at its best! Thank you, Maestro Bell!
Needless to say, I give Maestro Bell five stars!

The Kreisler pieces are played exceptionally well. The one disc alone is worth the price of the double disc collection. Great playing.

I've been listening to this at work every day and never get tired of it.

I am not a music critic nor do I "know" much about music but if you love lovely violin music you will love this.

Dealing with pain is hard work, and slower, gentle music is very healthy for those of us dealing with disease. Consequently I'm always on the lookout for soothing sounds. Joshua's violin music is breathtaking; I forget my pain while his violin sings.

I first discovered this whilst listening in the car in England to classic FM when they played SARASATE, Carmen Fantasy. We had arrived at our destination and we sat there for another l0 minutes while we heard the whole track. What can you say? Joshua Bell is brilliant. We bought the double CD mainly for this track, but it is all fantastic.

I adore Kreisler. As an amateur fiddler, I have performed Kreisler and know that his work is always invigorating to play. Joshua Bell allows his listeners the same fun hearing the music, lightly frolicking sometimes and passionately ripping through sensuous phrases other times. This is not music to "tune out" to. This is fully engaging, and for classical music lovers or Joshua Bell fans, one will not be disappointed in this album.

I never liked violin music until I heard Joshua Bell at the Hollywood Bowl in California. Since he doesn't play there every day and his playing evokes such emotion, I bought this album. It's terrific. I would see him or hear him in a heart beat so if you really LOVE violin classical music, you will love this CD.

This CD truly shows what a master Joshua Bell is, as he beautifully interprets and plays music from a wide range of composers!

This is a great CD set that you must have! Joshua's performance amazes me every time I listen to it. Simply beautiful. He can play these difficult pieces effortlessly, beautifully, and passionately! Such a talent!