Bach: The Concerto Album

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Lara St. John (Performer), Scott St. John (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Lara St. John, Scott St. John
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (January 8, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ancalagon
• ASIN: B00005YBT3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #118,176 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the CD, March 25, 2002

By A Customer

Reviewer til860 is right on about the cover art. Worse than the cover is the inside poster, where she looks like a street dwelling drug addict who found a violin in the gutter. If you buy Classical CD's on the basis of thier cover art, you may want to pause and consider. However, there is a more important question on the subject of the relative value of an artists technique vs. the nuances of their interpretation of the music. Some apparently find this CD to be a little flat in the interpretation department. However, I found that her effortless and undeniably expert technique lead me to an experience of the structure of Bach's music that was very satisfying. Its a worthwhile CD.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This interpretation rocks!, March 25, 2002

By	"marcia1289" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

I've read a lot about this latest release in the press, but while most praise Lara for her energetic playing, many seem to be shocked about the cover art. I couldn't disagree more! Here we have a hip young violinist whose main goal seems to be to bring great music to the masses, and she is not allowed to market it accordingly? Test yourself when you stroll along the aisles of Tower Records and see which releases you pick up and which ones you pass by. Lara's latest has what it takes to get noticed.

Of course, this kind of marketing would be misguided if she couldn't back it up with thrilling and intense interpretations. She employs a good mix of period performance practice and modern violin technique. Finally a violinist who doesn't milk each melodic line just because she can. This is not playing you hear in conservatories. There is refreshingly spare use of romantic vibrato and her lean sound meshes well with the crisp orchestra sound. Most importantly, her fleet tempos match the character of the music.

A must-buy! If you liked her previous two recordings you will not be disappointed. And I recently stumbled on her website - what a kick---site! I hope Ms. St. John will continue her unconventional path in music.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Has Lara St.John reached her Peter's Principle?, February 22, 2004

By	J. P. Ferraz "Just do it!" (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is a common say that, soon or later, one reaches his/hers level of incompetence. I have been following Lara's career, starting with her first and amazing CD some years ago. This is her third record and I have heard it several times in search for her well known art and virtuoso.

What I found, specially in the sonata, was crystal technique but an absense of art. And this is what music is all about.

The concertos are a far resemblance of the vigor and beauty shown in her first CD. There is no doubt that Lara is an amazing performer, but something must be wrong with the way her art is maturing.

Her website stopped displaying her schedule two years ago. What's next?