Customer Reviews

Romantic and Virtuoso Music from the Golden Age of the Violin

5 star:		(2)
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3 star:		(1)
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Ultimately this CD is disappointing even though the violin performances are astounding. The problem is the piano... not Boris Barere's playing, but the microphone that recorded it or the mixer who mixed it (there is no clue in the liner notes as to the date of these recordings - The 40s, 50s, and 60s were David Nadien's "heyday"). The piano sounds leaden and subdued as though it were from a 1920s recording. It doesn't match at all the violin sound, which is loud, crisp, and modern. Sound volume is boosted for the violin, reduced for the piano. Yes, these duets are meant to showcase the violin, but the piano has to add something to the overall impact of the piece, not detract from it. The two instruments have to blend and combine into an integrated whole (but they don't). The CD is full of old favorites, so you can be sure that the other performances you've heard will have sounded better, even if the violinist was not as good. Hence the disappointment with this CD. It could have been great. Too bad.

This is extraordinarily beautiful playing by a magnificent violin artist joined by a distinguished pianist. Over the past fifty years there have been few other violinists whose work even approaches the quality of his artistry or violin playing (including many who were far more famous.) Don't listen to an earlier reviewer who dismisses this record because of a cavil about balance between the violin and piano. Nadien is truly one of the greats but unfortunately the classical music business never gave him the recognition or opportunities his talent merited and as a result he didn't get to record with very best engineers. But the recording quality is certainly good enough for one to hear the beauty of his playing and conceptions as well as the fine ensemble work with Mr. Barere. Grab this record before it becomes unavailable and you have to choose from one of the undistinguished "cookie cutter" moderns.

Nadien's sound is gorgeous and his style very tasteful. If you have never heard him, you are in for a treat. He puts overhyped modern violinists like Shaham and Midori to shame. Recording quality is good.