Customer Reviews

Paganini for Two / Gil Shaham, Goran Sollscher

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

 

 

This is a delightful cd that still sets the standard for these varied violin/guitar pieces even though they were recorded in November '92. Gil Shaham plays with an aristocratic charm that makes every piece sound so refreshing and witty; he has imbued into these Paganini works the purest violin tones and cleanest approach of everyone who has tackled the same works including Monica Huggett's recordings on Harmonia Mundi and the inexpensive Naxos recordings. Indeed while listening to both Huggett's and Shaham's interpretations of the "Sonata Concertata", I prefer the latter simply because it is so much more refined; Huggett's playing seems more raw and less polished even though there may appear to be more energy. Huggett plays the piece as if it was a Baroque Miniature Masterpiece; Shaham plays it in the Classical Mold full of romance and feeling- imparting a greater degree of mystery and spirituality. Shaham makes every note sound just right and no quips with the interpretation; his refinement of technique reminds me of a young Arthur Grumiaux but with a even greater sense of mastery and control.

It is an interesting fact that Paganini wrote over 100 solo pieces for the guitar even though he is now known primarily for his violin works. Paganini is believed to have used the guitar as the instrument of choice during composition. Although his guitar pieces do not approach the virtuosic exuberance of the more famous violin counterparts such as the "24 Caprices", they define an intimate and private Paganini; one who indulges in a more relaxed and quiet setting- away from the fireworks of the stage performances. However make no mistake- many of these pieces from this recording are meant to be played with a lot of fire and splendid bowtapping such as the "Moto Perpetuo" (the last selection) and Shaham's rhythmic attack never slackens even in the most demanding passages.

"Paganini for Two" on first glance sounds like any other recording made especially for background dinner music (even the tiny sticker on the packaging highlights this point!)but there is a lot of lyrical refinement for even the serious Paganini collector and classical music lover. A number of Sonatas are included although at times the guitar plays a lesser role. I would have preferred to see the entire "Grand Sonata" appear in this recording but only the "Romance" from it- a very short four and a half minute piece is included. The rest of the programme if not generous is still varied and interesting- stretching slightly over 60 minutes.

All this talk of Shaham certainly does not detract from the wonderful accompaniment provided by veteran guitarist Goran Sollscher who was known previously for his luminous recordings of the Bach Lute suites (also on DG)and refreshing interpretations of even the music of the Beatles! You can hear every one of Sollscher's notes and this partnership is certainly a very successful one. To cap it all off, the sound is crystal clear with a lot of depth and proper soundstaging. The violin and guitar sound very holographic and on a good hi-fi equipment, this disc can be worthy of demonstration material.

A Solid 5 Star Recommendation? You bet!

Among the "big three" of classical writers for guitar (Sor, Giuliani, Paganini), Paganini seems to me best at integrating the guitar in chamber ensembles. Not that his guitar-violin relationship is static in these duets. In the Sonata Concertante, for example, the instruments are almost equal partners, with the guitar slightly upstage. In the six sonatas, the guitar merely provides accompaniment.

The common denominator is the likeability of this music, with little or none of the bravura writing for which Paganini is best known. In fact, among the three composers for the guitar above-mentioned, Paganini seems to me the most straight-ahead and guitaristic.

It's interesting to see Sollscher tackle this material, since he's best-known for his solo Bach transcriptions on his custom 11-string. Totally different -- and totally entrancing.

If you like these duos, be sure and check out the Paganini trios, which are delightful.

Having seen Gil Shaham in concert recently, I knew I would like his treatment of Paganini. He is good technically, and a wonderful interpretive violinist. The guitar has more a background role. Sometimes plaintive, sometimes playful, this music can be played quietly to set a mood for dinner, or louder for making household chores a joy.

I wonder what the musicians on this record could do, if they really let themselves go! Here we have so much brilliant skill, and Shaham & Söllcher could easily exchange a bit of it for some rage and tears. Then it should have been a six star rating on this record!

Shaham and Solscher work together amazingly. Love both of them independently and together. I wish they had made more records together. Both are subtle, intelligent, and lyrical players.

The Romantic imagination seems to have set a label over the shoulders of Nicolo Paganini. Like Liszt in the piano, he helped indeed, to forge the legend by motives that actually we could define as marketing devices.

But, behind the legend there was a man who took the guitar and began to think about its expressive possibilities. During years these works were -if not neglected- at least overlooked by most of musicians and audiences in general.

Fortunately since the second half of the past century, these pieces were exhumated from the oblivion and played for great audiences avid to know what was about the untamed hero of the violin.

This album captured with absolute honesty as well as artistic conviction, these little jewels for both instruments, throughout violin and guitar exchange roles of supremacy.

The result was overwhelming. That's why this CD must be part of your collection, because it ranks and embraces the lyric inspiration bellow the legend. Paganini's internal mood.

A must-have. Don't miss it.

...except...this is some of THE most beautiful music you will hear in your lifetime. "Classic" and "Classical", without the pretention of some other old music. That's pretty much all I have. It can make you cry!

This collection of Paganini's music has it all. Great playing from both soloists, full of passion and presence, great recording, well balanced - a must for this kind of music and great pieces, all coming to life by Gil Shaham.

Wonderful music that I never tire of listening to. And dare anyone not to like.

Gil Shaham, like so many of today's concert violinists, is so good he's scary (I know, I said that about Vadim Repin, too). They're nearly all in that "too good to be real" category.

BUT - I had to give it four stars, not five, as I firmly believe that Salvatore Accardo is the best when it comes to Paganini. Let's face it, Gil Shaham is great whatever he's playing; take "Butterfly Lovers" for example.

On a related note (pun intended), I have an all black, full-sized violin I can let you have for next to nothing. No, on second thought, I think I'll keep practicing.