Virtuoso [IMPORT]

David Garrett

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Indie Europe/Zoom
• ASIN: B0010NX274
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,921 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Part maverick, part genius, total virtuoso, David Garrett, 25, has been surprising people since before he was four years old. It was then that his father gave him a violin (he was having a tantrum because his older brother had a violin teacher) and, without any lessons, the toddler picked it up and began playing. Fast forward just four years and David was already one of the foremost violinists in the world working with the most celebrated teachers and performing solos with legendary orchestras and conductors. With his natural talent, the input of the finest music teachers in the world and a spirit unusual in the sometimes fusty world of classical music, David has emerged as fully-formed, fully-rounded - not to mention highly attractive - artist. He has already played for Popes and princes and presidents (the German President saw David when he was just 11 and was so impressed he actually set about securing him a priceless 1718 Stradivarius: "I used to leave violins on buses and in hotel rooms when I was younger, but not this one") but a whole new audience awaits.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I prefer this to 2009's "David Garrett" North American release, August 3, 2009

By	Veggiechiliqueen - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

I first heard of violin prodigy David Garrett in a Barnes and Noble in-store play, and picked up his eponymous (US) debut David Garrett. However, I felt that the North American version, which was cobbled together from 2007's "Virtuoso" and 2008's "Encore," was a tad short. I went searching for other Garrett recordings only to discover that they're only available as super-expensive imports. After comparing tracklistings on Free, Virtuoso and Encore, I decided on the version of Virtuoso that has Pachelbel's Canon in D (the other pressing does not). Many of the tracks are also on "David Garrett" (Carmen, Nothing Else Matters, Csardas, Duelling Banjos), but there are other superb additions such as Morricone's "La Califfa," Paganini's Rhapsody (best known from Andrew Lloyd Webber's divine Variations), Bernstein's "Somewhere," Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" (for which David set a Guinness World Record for fastest performance on live TV at 66 seconds, or 13 notes per second), Secret Garden's "You Raise Me Up" (check out the stunning original by Irish singer Brian Kennedy, NOT Josh Groban, on You Raise Me Up), and three original compositions, "Serenade," "Toccata," and "Eliza's Song."

Opening with La Califfa (of which Sarah Brightman did a stunning cover of on La Luna), there is much more of a classical crossover vibe on Virtuoso rather than a rock feel per the North American update (which featured AC/DC, Metallica, Queen and Michael Jackson). The next four tracks are the same versions on "David Garrett"; Csardas is particularly good and brings to mind Brahms' Hungarian Dance Number 5 (the bonus track is a chillout version of Csardas that's got a Nuevo Flamenco vibe in the last third of the song). "Pachelbel's Canon" is a pleasing update on this Baroque gem that manages to be traditional and modern at the same time; the intro stays fairly close to the score, then David gently and deftly takes the song into new directions (if you like Christmas Canon, you'll love David's cover or vice versa).

"Paganini's Rhapsody" was an interesting experiment. I grew up listening to Julian Lloyd Webber's version of Variations - Variations I-IV and it was a treat to hear this on violin (David's full version, recorded when he was a teenager, is available at Paganini: Caprices). Again, David sticks to the score for the first few measures, then branches out. There's some interesting use of acoustic guitar providing a forceful strummed bassline and percussion (tambourine, xylophone, bells). This one is technically challenging and gorgeous; it almost sounds like the score to Danny Elfman's Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in places.

"The Flight of the Bumblebee" is also played at breakneck speed (1:20), showcasing David's technical prowess at super-fast fingering yet maintaining clarity of tone. The original tracks "Serenade" and "Eliza's Song" are soft and romantic in a bittersweet way (according to the liner notes, "Serenade" was inspired by unrequited love on David's part). The hard-rocking "Toccata" sounds like Bach on Red Bull with an espresso chaser. This one must be impressive in concert...I can picture strobe lights flashing to the driving melody and electric guitar riffs. "You Raise Me Up" takes Virtuoso back into calmer waters (I would LOVE to hear David record/perform this with Brian Kennedy on vocals...that would be a dream team), finishing up with "Eliza's Song." The bonus mix of Csardas is almost identical to the album version except for the last minute or so.

So is "Virtuoso" worth the hefty import price? After all, it costs many times more than David's North American debut. For me, I found "Virtuoso" to be more rewarding as I appreciated the classical covers more. The tracks seemed stronger overall, and I really enjoyed "Canon," "Paganini's Rhapsody," and "Flight of the Bumblebee." If you're a rock fan, you'll likely find David Garrett more rewarding, as it features covers of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal," AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme, and Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever?" At any rate, David is an immensely talented violinist and composer who deserves to be heard.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David Garrett Virtuoso CD, July 12, 2009

By	Pgh JP - See all my reviews

This CD is wonderful. The quality of the sound is excellent and the song selections showcase the huge range of David Garrett's ability. Great CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars David Garrett is absolutely outstanding!!!, November 11, 2009

By	Tari & Brisco (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

David Garrett is absolutely outstanding!!! This CD is just beautiful to listen to.

I just ordered his newest CD "Classic Romance" heard a short preview of a song, it is going to be another outstanding CD.

I would recommend any of his music in CD~DVD~MP3,classic or crossover all are outstanding. Yes I am a fan.