Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky/ Brahms: Violin Concerto/ Hungarian Dances

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's difficult to acknowledge the possibility that a mere child could achieve greatness in a concerto such as the Tchaikovsky.

I encountered this recording in a different way, having tuned in on the radio after the start of the concerto. I had no idea who was playing, all I knew was the intensity, the almost Hitchcockian tension, the musicality, the absolutely impeccable intonation. This was the performance of a master. It was riveting, grabbed me away from what I was doing. I've never heard the Tchaikovsky played so well. (I grew up with the Heifetz and own several versions... one of my favorite concertos.)

It was Sarah Chang. Must be a new recording I thought. My she has come a long way since her start. I must look for this new recording of hers.

Of course it turned out to be THIS recording, the finest I've ever heard of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. It deserves to be listened to solely on its merits, without regard to the performer's age.

It is a mistake to view Sarah Chang simply as a very-talented child prodigy. Rather, despite her youth, she is a great violinist by any standard -- fully worthy to be compared to the finest violinists of the recorded music era. Her performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto is as fine as any currently available and better than most. The Brahms dances are equally superb. If you love the violin and haven't yet heard this outstanding artist, do yourself a favor and buy this CD.

For her age, Miss Chang continues to display a developing talent that is starting to rival those such as Jascha Heifetz and the squeaky but great Anna Sophie Mutter. Also, she appears to have a gift of changing the intensities of her emotions from one dramatic extreme to the other at an instant. The so called "annoying amount of applause" is a testament to the abilities of this amazing young star.

Like ElectrostatDan - I heard this on the radio having missed the info of who it was. I thought it was incredibly good!

By an 11 year old?????

Even more incredible.

I think Sarah Chang's recording is absolutely amazing. Her playing is on par with almost every other recording I've heard, and I highly doubt anyone could tell the violinist was 11 by listening to this playing. It's truly great by any standard.

Some might criticize her playing as "immature", but I don't really buy that. Even if her playing at this young age is different than she might perform it today or a older performer might play it, what is so bad about that? Who decided that a child can't have an opinion or point of view that is valid for it's own sake (as opposed to just being a "flawed" version of their future self)? Children often see things in more simply terms, but let's face it... the Tchaikovsky Concerto, for all it's greatness, isn't a particularly complicated or profound piece of music. It's a virtuoso piece with beautiful melodies, and for this reason offers an excellent vehicle for a younger player who might lack the insight to play a more intellectually challenging concerto like Shostakovich No 1 or Sibelius.

Children often have the ability to cut through everything and get down to the obvious truth of an issue that adults might over-analyze half to death... I think Chang's interpretation of the piece is just that. She doesn't over do anything. She just plays beautiful, well-phrased music with flawless technique. I think that's quite an accomplish at any age.

All of Sarah Chang's recordings are wonderful, and this Tchaikovsky is no exception. Her phrasing is mature and she sounds like she knows exactly where she is going, and knows what she needs to do to get there. But, unfortunately, it's not exciting! The Tchaikovsky needs to be alive with excitement and passion, and that seems to be missing. The orchestra does it part almost perfunctorily: all the huge orchestral build-ups in the first and third movements are played as though the orchestra members are bored with the music. I still recommend this CD to people looking for a great, solid, beautiful recording of the Tchaikovsky. But for one that's passionate and breathtaking with excitement, look for the Nathan Milstein recording.

This is just amazing! Sarah Chang was only 11 years old when this was recorded, yet it surpasses every recording. First of all, Sarah thinks about how she can play each phrase, you can hear every emotion that can possibly be brought out of the music. She makes sense of eveything. There is never anything that is just, there, everything has meaning. Secondly, while this may be a tad slower than other recordings, it is for the better of the piece. Never has there been a recording where you can hear that many notes, that in tune, and that cleanly played. It's like you're reading the notes right off the page. This aspect also gives the music a sense of prolonging and savoring every moment of the music. Finally, Sarah's lucious tone and artistry top it all off to make this the finest Tchaikovsky out there! A must have for all violin lovers, or someone that is new to violin and wants to hear more. Won't dissapoint!

I am listening to this CD, just being amazed again that she was only 11 years old when she recorded this piece, one of the most beloved violin concertos. This is phenomenal and I love it! I want to give this Thaikovsky recording a full mark. (Actually, I don't feel the same excitment from her most recent recordings, though)

Very well done by a vituoso who is not afraid to show her emotions

Sarah Chang has such a distinctive sound that I recognize it any time I hear it on the radio. The first time I heard her, I literally pulled off the road, parked the car, and waited for the announcer's credits. And then ordered her Debut album. I have bought each one since.

Her rendition of the Tchaikovsky concerto is glorious. The Hungarian dances make me laugh out loud - she is obviously having a lot of fun playing with them, bending notes to fit the mood, and adding a Gypsy violin character which is too often missing in these folkdances. Being part Hungarian, I grew up with these pieces, both listening to and playing them. I love what she does with them.

I have since seen her in concert twice with the San Francisco Symphony, and at 14 she commanded the kind of respect by conductor and orchestra given any virtuoso. This recording is an excellent example of her early work, but it is comparable to almost any adult violinist's best efforts.