Re: Bach

Magnus Fiennes (Composer), Lara St. John (Performer), Yoad Nevo (Performer), Matthew Sharp (Performer), Robbie Jacobs (Performer), Christopher Laurence (Performer), Christopher Lawrence (Performer), Andrew Findon (Performer), Anna Noakes (Performer), Phil Todd (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Lara St. John, Yoad Nevo, Matthew Sharp, Robbie Jacobs, Christopher Laurence, et al.
• Composer: Magnus Fiennes
• Audio CD (May 25, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00023GGLC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,422 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Two things must be said immediately: (1) Lara St. John is a spectacular violinist and (2) any resemblance between the music on this disc and that of J.S. Bach is largely incidental. True, Bach himself freely arranged and re-used his works in other contexts, and this is often cited to justify recasting bits and pieces of them in a highly idiosyncratic, often experimental style totally alien to his own. However, though St. John claims that she and her collaborators have "a huge respect for Bach's music," it is difficult to resist the impression that this is simply a launching-pad for an unabashed ego-trip. Her tone contrasts strangely with the electronic instruments and sounds too close to the microphone, but seems an oasis of natural beauty; one longs for its reappearance whenever she rests. She gets only a few chances to display her virtuosity; one of them is the finale of the A-minor unaccompanied sonata, the sole selection originally written for violin (inexplicably called "Bombay Minor"). St. John plays it brilliantly, but toward the end a tabla joins her with rhythms that seem unconnected to her part. The music generally is a teaser. Some melodies are unfamiliar, some famous, but often impossible to identify in these unaccustomed surroundings. The opening selection's title, "Goldberg 2," presumably indicates a connection with the "Goldberg" Variations that defies discovery, while the last selection is unmistakable: the "Badinerie" from the B-minor Suite. St. John plays the solo flute part, again not fast but brilliantly; she rests while the group engages in far-flung modulations. In two pieces St. John plays a duet with herself, one violin sounding darker than the other and just different enough to create the illusion of two players, and there is a lovely, simple duet for violin and cello that actually sounds like Bach. Now will the real Johann Sebastian please stand up? --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lost it., May 30, 2004

By	"richard_best" (Oberlin, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Selling classical music with sex has never been something I cared for. And St. John always had very questionable CD covers. Nevertheless, I always had to admit that when it came to the music itself, it sounded like she had real integrity. The playing was always first class, with lots of personality and quite unique. Now, she just shattered all this. This CD has no integrity and no music, lowering herself to the level of corny artists like Linda Brava or what have you. Would she soon be posing for Playboy as well? ... Thank god there are still violinists like Hilary Hahn and Sarah Chang around to save the classical grace.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars When an artist sell out and loses her soul - what a shame!, May 30, 2004

By A Customer

I wanted to disagree with the previous reviewer, as I used to admire this artist. But no longer. Unfortunately, after listening to this CD, I could not agree more. This is a perfect example of someone selling their soul, probably for the hopes of financial success. Quite sad, actually. I have heard bad new-age pop before, but why did she have to do it to Bach? There is very little Bach in it, but what is recognizable as Bach is pretty repulsive. What baffles me most, is why there is so little violin in it? That is just plain stupid!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Lara!, December 12, 2004

By	Ann Volpe (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

Poor Lara! For years, she tried everything to get noticed. First it was the nude cover of her first album, then the tough girl image of the second, afterwards the sexy "bad girl" cover of the third. Still, some people thought she was also a worthwhile violinist and some even liked her fresh attitude.

In this last cd, however, she exposes not her body, for a change, but her lack of musical integrity or depth. It's no wonder this cd is already widely considered a big flop. There's little good to say about it.

Although some ignorant, or self-proclaimed "progressive thinkers" get lured by it's silly effects, I highly advise to skip this one. Ever since 'Switch on Bach' was made, over 30 years ago, countless albums with variations on the subject of Bach were produced. We've already heard it all. There's nothing new here.

There are so many better albums out there that will "expand your horizons" without insulting your intelligence or your sound musical taste.