Customer Reviews

Vanessa-Mae The Violin Player

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Let's get this straight upfront: Vanessa Mae is a good violin player, but I've heard plenty better in the classical world today. You buy this CD not for Mae's technique as a violinist (frankly, I'd give her just a 6 or 7 out of 10), but for her innovation - her ground-breaking album that blends the old-style classical music with pop/techno/jazz, and gives that genre of music (which had there for a while even before Mae) the kind of visibility that it did not use to have. This album is novel and upbeat, and is highly listenable both to people who like classical music and those who find it intimdating (or boring). Would especially recommend this to people in their 20s and 30s.

This is a fantastic cd. Vaness-Mae has managed to captured the sound of jazzed-up violin without distorting it, and the result is a truly unique sound. Many fans of classical music may criticize this cd for it's lack of "proper" tone and composition, but they fail to realize that this is a FUN cd, and if they want to hear traditionally classical stuff, put On a Classical Music CD! I'm not dissing classical music, I grew up on it, but I was also encouraged to listen to and appreciate a variety of music. Buy this cd if you want to broaden your horizons.

The first notes of Vanessa Mae's The Violin Player sound like a dramatic beginning to a classical composition, but it's not. This album in fact is anything but traditional classical. It's unique, creative, energetic and alive and I give Vanessa props for being brave enough to come out with it. It's hard to be different. The fact that Vanessa did make the music and did it so well says that she's a true artist, something sadly lacking in a world where technical mastery is considered more important than artistic invention. This is a fantastic, fun album that you'll want to listen to again and again, the music hitting something within you and bringing all sorts of energy you didn't know you had bubbling to the surface. If you won't buy it for that reason, then buy it for it's historical significance. It's already plain to me, Vanessa Mae with this album changed the one sided face of classical music forever.

I first saw Vanessa Mae on World Music awards performing Toccata & Fugue in D Minor. I thought she was fantastic, and was especially impressed with her ability to actually have children enjoy classical music. Most children loathe classical music, but when they see a pretty young person play, enjoy and have fun with the music, they have a positive reaction to their once dreaded classical music. I think she has made a superb effort and achieved what she set out to accomplish. I have since bought her classical music CD's as well. Ms. Mae has a fantastic interpretation of classical music to a modern format. I am an audio engineer and work with many artists and styles of music. I don't care what the classical fanatics think, and neither should you, as this is very upbeat and enjoyable classical music.

I purchased this CD many years ago and enjoy it just as much today as when I first heard it. By reading the reviews here you can surmise you are either going to love her style or not. It is not for everyone, no more than classical, rap, jazz, or country is for everyone. I compare her music interpretation to that of Jimi Hendrix's interpretation of the Star Spangled Banner. It is radical, but very refreshing. You will either love it or consider it blasphemous.

A great album full of contemporary pieces and new life to classical ones!

If you love Bond, you will see where they were inspired. Vanessa Mae uses her expert violin playing to jazz up the album. Very relaxing yet inspiring, the CD will be a great addition to your CD collection.

The highlight is her arrangement of "Tocatta and Fugue." The famous piece is been given a rebirth through her strings and is an upbeat piece that will get your toes tapping and arms flailing like a composer's.

A great album for your collection. Adds culture to your tastes.

I saw her in concert about 3 years ago and she was great. I got to meet her in person. When I got this CD I loved it. I get tried of the old classical style of violin. (She does have a Classical CD) It the best,I Listen to the CD's at lest once a day. It is a must buy! Don't listen to those other people they wouldn't know good music if it hit them in the .... Face!

I found Vanessa Mae's play heavenly. She made me fall in love with classical music all over again. She plays with passion and from the heart. Outstanding performance Vanessa !

I just can't help dancing and swinging my hips every time I listen to this wonder CD. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Contradanza, Classical Gas, and Red Hot are very upbeat and dancy. This is really a work of magic by a 14 year-old artist. I think she is the youngest ever to record something like this with a electric violin. Highly recommended to anyone who loves good music!

I didn't know what to expect from this CD. But my first reaction was, especially when the first piece was Bach, that it was one of those hooked-on baroque music productions. Other compositions were interesting but these techno arranged classicals were mediocre at best. It was a bit 'cheesy'. However, if you rarely listen to instrumental music, you just might enjoy this CD.