Voice of the Violin

Joshua Bell (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000H7JD1I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,041 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #2 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( K ) > Kreisler, Fritz
  #3 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( B ) > Bell, Joshua
  #3 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( F ) > Falla, Manuel de

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Constantly exhorted to "sing," string players naturally try to emulate that most beautiful musical instrument, the human voice; no wonder they literally want to get their fingers on the treasures of the vocal repertoire. Joshua Bell has appropriated some of its best-loved songs and operatic arias, from Mozart through the romantics to Orff. Slow, sustained, lovely and yes, singing, these beguiling melodies and wide emotional range are eminently well suited to the violin. Credit for most of the arrangements is given to J.A.C. Redford, a well-known film and television composer, and indeed the throbbing strings and jarring modulations typical of sound-tracks invade his orchestrations, in startling contrast to the composers' own. In Debussy's "Beau soir," pianist Frederic Chiu partners Bell so beautifully that one wishes he had supplanted the orchestra in all the songs with piano accompaniment. The violin transcriptions of the vocal line closely follow the originals, except for Redford's compulsive habit of adding octaves in the repeats and jumping from the lowest to the highest register. Of course, Bell is very good at all this, and it's the playing that's really the thing. His tone is ravishingly beautiful, warm on the G-string, radiant up high, and always deeply expressive. His love and innate feeling for the music---its inward simplicity, romantic yearning and passionate ardor---speak straight to the heart. In the only authentic violin part, the obbligato of Richard Strauss' "Morgen!" he is joined by the golden-voiced soprano Anna Netrebko; at first overly intense, she relaxes into a blissful, magical ending. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And Joshua Bell Sings!, September 14, 2006

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Many of Joshua Bell's legion of admirers praise not only his fine technique but also his ability of make the more liquid passages of his performances approximate the human voice in his vocal approach to the line. Here he takes advantage of that aspect of his musicianship and offers a strong recital of some of everyone's favorite arias and songs as transcribed for the violin and orchestra.

Bell is especially fine in this vein, giving these lush and elegant melodies the quality of sound and tone that have been his hallmark through his career. Included in the recital are such varied works as Rachmaninov's Vocalise, of course Ave Maria, Song to the Moon from Rusalka, Una furtiva lagrima, Je crois entendre encore from The Pearl Fishers, Pourquoi me réveiller from Werther, In trutina from Carmina Burana, Laudate Dominum from Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore, None but the Lonely Heart, with others. Bell's friends round out this celebration: Anna Netrebko sings Strauss' 'Morgen' with Bell playing the violin obligato and Frederic Chiu accompanies him on the piano in Debussy's 'Beau soir'.

This is not a heavyweight program (some of the orchestral transcriptions beg indulgence), but instead it is a selection of very beautiful songs and arias given their due by the very talented Joshua Bell. Keep one copy in the car: it is the kind of CD that will smooth out even the worst of freeway snarls! Recommended. Grady Harp, September 06

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He Does It Again, September 15, 2006

By	Hannah St Pierre (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Joshua Bell has the amazing ability to melt the listener with his magical playing. Probably the most romantic violinist of our generation, Bell's most recent recordings haven't disappointed his passionate admirers. Being a violinist myself, I listen to Joshua bell for my inspiration more than any other artist. Although sometimes almost too wet on the strings, Joshua's lightness with the bow and the energy he puts into his playing can't be ignored. Voice of the Violin is very close to his previous successful recording, Romance of the Violin in its slow, fanciful phrasing. However, Bell uses very many composers that differ greatly from the "lullaby" effect The Romance of the Violin created. I highly recommend this recording to anyone who appreciates emotional, peaceful, and truly lovely music.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Classical Violin Music, September 17, 2006

By	Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm just getting into classical music. I first heard Joshua Bell on the Appalachian tinged "Short Ride Home" cd that he performed on with Sam Bush and Edgar Meyer,and I thought that album was terrific. I especially liked Joshua Bell's achingly gorgeous violin playing on the title track.

So I got this iTunes download next, and I love it! "Ave Maria" is beautiful, and the emotive violin and harp playing on "Pourquoi me réveiller from Werther" will create a nice atmosphere for reflection. This cd is something I can listen to in the office while I am typing or reading. The violin playing is lovely. If you're looking for something to play in the office or as relaxing music while at home or in the car, you won't be disappointed with this!