Devil's Dance

Antonio Bazzini (Composer), William Bolcom (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Edvard Grieg (Composer), Erich Wolfgang Korngold (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), John [Composer] Morris (Composer), Niccolo Paganini (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Pablo de Sarasate (Composer), Giuseppe Tartini (Composer), John [Film Composer] Williams (Composer), Eugene Ysaye (Composer), Jonathan Feldman (Performer), Gil Shaham (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Jonathan Feldman, Gil Shaham
• Composer: Antonio Bazzini, William Bolcom, Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, et al.
• Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00004XRY7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #63,162 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( S ) > Shaham, Gil
  #22 in	Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
  #22 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( K ) > Korngold, Erich Wolfgang

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though it's haunted by goblins, ghosts, and monsters, it is hard to find anything very satanic in much of this music, except its fiendishly difficult pyrotechnics. Its sole purpose is to display Gil Shaham's devilishly dazzling virtuosity, glorious tone, elegance, humor, and bewitching charm. The only substantial piece is Tartini's "Devil's Trill Sonata," in Kreisler's edition complete with his long, diabolically strenuous cadenza; Shaham plays it very beautifully, with genuine, moving expressiveness. Elsewhere, his tongue is never far from his cheek, whether he is tossing off Bazzini's "Rondo de Lutins" perfectly at top speed, or having fun with the fireworks of Korngold's "Caprice fantastique," Sarasate's "Faust Fantasie," Grieg's "Puck" arranged by Joseph Achron, Paganini's Caprice No. 13, with a piano part by Robert Schumann, and Saint-Saëns' "Dance macabre," in which the pianist doubles for a whole orchestra. There are also transcriptions of passionately romantic pieces by Brahms and Mendelssohn, and excursions into different styles: William Bolcom's "Graceful Ghost" rag; "Transylvanian Lullaby" from John Morris's soundtrack for "Young Frankenstein" transcribed by Shaham's pianist, Jonathan Feldman; and the title piece, "Devil's Dance" arranged by John Williams from his soundtrack for "The Witches of Eastwick." You can safely invite this devil of a violinist into your home--he is excellent company. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shaham Possessed?, February 20, 2001

By	Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

People speculated that Paganini sold his soul to the devil to play the way he did. Upon hearing this recording, those same superstitious people might wonder if this is Paganini reincarnated and renamed Gil Shaham. This is a true fireworks show for Gil Shaham, where he shows why he's one of the greatest living violinists in the music world today. His beautiful tone, easy virtuoisty (or so it sounds) and achingly beautiful lyricism are all abundantly evident in this somewhat late celebration of Halloween. Aptly titled, this CD showcases many short pieces for violin and piano that are tests of violinists and treats to listeners. It's a great disc with great melodies and impeccable playing. On this disc, the devil has thrown a dance and he has Gil Shaham playing. Are you attending?

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ... the best music ever recorded!, May 7, 2002

A Kid's Review

Sometimes I forget to breathe-this CD is so mind-blowing! This is the type of CD that you can't help but wave your hands around pretending to conduct the song!........ Ok.... Deep breathes.......o-o...I have to calm down! Now this CD features not just the best musicians but the best composers. They are John Williams (simply the best), Camille Saint-Saens (who composed one of the most famous "spooky" songs: Danse macabre!) ,and John Morris, you know.... Composed the music for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the funniest movie EVER! And guess what the theme song is on the CD!.. The charming yet spooky.........'Young Frankenstein': A Transylvania Lullaby. Hexenlied, one of my favorites, is by MR. Felix Mendelssohn (no he's not Felix the cat!)..........So...many....good.....songs....so.....Little--t-t-time. OK. It's time to wrap things up.....BUY THIS CD, YOU WON'T REGRET IT! :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Halloween.....and Any Time After, October 24, 2000

By A Customer

Gil Shaham proves he is one of the best violinists of today. This recording is sheer perfection.....he shows flawless technique and artistry on all the pieces. The music is very "festive" for the Halloween season. It is a highly recommended recording. Everyone who listens will thoroughly enjoy it. And don't listen to what the c.d. cover says scan to 26 seconds before track 1 to hear a frightful surprise!! This is an extremly entertaing c.d. and is a joy to listen to.