Customer Reviews

Violin for Anne Rice

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

 

 

This is the first Classical collection I have ever bought and I will not lie. I bought it because it had something to do with Anne Rice. But when I started to listen to it, I was blown away. Leila has amazing talent and she is just so good. Brava.

Most critics are a self-doubting bunch and some review books, CDs or restaurants without benefit of first-hand experience. Or, as is the case here, they introduce unrelated material in order to bolster their pre-set opinion. This is a stunning CD, deeply romantic and satisfying. Yes, it is parochial and one whose origins are the stuff of fiction but does that invalidate the virtuosity and lushness? I enjoyed the music immensely even though I stopped reading the Vampire series after the second book. At times the music soars and I too have thought of "old" New Orleans many times while listening to this recording. Rush out and buy it now!

While some young musical prodigies work with laser-like precision to showcase their technical skill, with this disc, Josefowicz goes straight for the heartstrings. One pictures her swaying violently and plunging the bow onto to the strings. However, most of the credit for this excellent work must be given to Rice, who chose the album's energetic Romantic selections which showcase Josefowicz's style and perfectly illustrate why the violin is the one instrument most associated with strong emotion. If only her accompanying book was half as good.

This is the first time I've heard of a soundtract to a book but Ms. Josefowicz's playing along with Anne Rice's writing make a great combination. Ms. Josefowicz's playing can transport you to images of New Orleans and other faraway places. I recommend this to anyone that has a love for violins, classical music or anyone that enjoys music. You will not be disappointed.

If you have been searching for the violin virtuosity at it's best, look no further. Her ability to play the most difficult arrangements effortlessly is mind boggling. She will win over your heart as she has mine.

The world is full of self appointed, self glorifying CRITICS in all fields of human endeavour. They sit in their imaginary lofty perches to look down on and lash out at those under their scrutiny with disdain, contempt, insults and envy even. Maybe they do so to `paint' a certain veneer of credibility, profundity and `gravitas' over their opinions. Or maybe because critics are more often than not, LESS talented, gifted, well-known, well-liked and well-endowed physically than those they criticised. Instead of providing useful information, constructive criticisms, enlightening perspectives or deep insights into musical performances and recordings, we get brief, superficial, meaningless comments on what is but personal and normal i.e. hairdos. The great works by Tchaikovsky and other renowned composers, works that are beloved by many and have been similarly performed by famous violinists like Anne Sophie Mutter, David Oistrakh, etc, have been simply and derisively brushed aside as "not terribly deep". I wonder who really is superficial!

Anyway, I see no book nor am I interested in what's in it. I am interested however in Ms Josefowicz CDs, which I came across whilst browsing for more performances of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto which is one of my favourites. I was attracted enough to want to buy but was apprehensive because I was not familiar with the musician and could not audition the CD where it was available. After doing a bit of research on the Internet, I took the risk to buy this CD. I understand that the violin used by Ms Josefowicz was a Guarneri and I have never heard one before (all recordings I owned are Stradivarus - I think!?). So I felt I MUST listen to this! I was not disappointed and was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the performance instead. As a `nit picking' audiophile, I find the recording quality excellent. The performances were relaxed but nonetheless, lively and emotionally engaging. The sound of the violin was heavenly - tonally rich and full. Ms Josefowicz performances may not be at the level of the "old masters" or the "famously great" - but this does not make them any less musically satisfying and enjoyable to ordinary music lovers like me. The CD now takes its place of pride among my other revered older recordings, to provide a different, fresh and interesting take on a great piece of musical work. I personally feel that Ms Josefowicz has it in her to be among the first and best, if she ignore ignorant critics and if she focus on the classical music repertoire, avoiding the modern cross-over type of music like those two out-of-place pieces found here on this CD. Leave these to violinists like Vanessa May!

So to all my fellow music lovers, do give this a try; you may find yourself falling in love with it like I did...

I purchased this CD because I thought it was a tribute to Anne Rice novels, which it is but only for her novel Violin. Makes sense now, but at the time I was expecting something more encompassing of her work. Still an excellent CD, but in case anyone else might not want to feel misled...

Good CD. Josefowicz is amazing. The Sting piece is solid and quite catchy. Don't quite see the connection to vampires, but that's okay.

Love, Love, LOVE this CD. I had purchased one when it first came out, and it had gotten damanged from use over the years. I was so happy to find it here. Fast delivery. And I highly recommend this CD for those that like classical music!

One morning while driving to campus, our pubic radio station featured Leila Josefowicz performing the "Carmen Fantasy, Op 25", by Pablo De Sarasate. Carmen is one of my favorite operas and I found Ms. Leila's interpretation of De Sarasate's variations on various themes from the opera to be mesmerizing. I called our public radio station to obtain details regarding the album and located it on Amazon.com. Although the album's title refers to Anne Rice, there is really only one tract directly related to New Orleans, i.e, "Moon over Bourbon Street". Nevertheless, every track is delightful. Ms. Leila's technique is superb and her tonal quality is beyond description. You just have to hear it for yourself. The album was available from a supplier that is located just over the hill in the next town, so I received it in just a few days. If you obtain the album for yourself, I know you will not be disappointed.