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James Ehenes delivers a revelatory recording of Paganini's devilish 24 Caprices Ehnes has recorded the Caprices before, inn 1995 at the age of 19. Since then his view of the music hasn't changed a great deal - the smoother, more subtly phrased chordal passages in No.5 is a typical example of refinement of interpretation rather than a radical rethink. There's the same daring, bold approach, relying on exceptional technique to deliver an inner vision of each piece - no pauses or stretching of the rhythm to make awkward corners more manageable. What has changed is that Ehnes's technique has got even better, the intonation more precise, the bow control more sensitive. And the new recording adds an extra degree of clarity so that the playing makes a more vivid impact. Even a solitary listener will feel the desire to applaud the presto section of No.11, with its jaunty rhythms and extraordinary leaps, or the quick staccato scales at the end of No.21. The past year has been a bumper one for Paganini's Op.1. Tanja Becker-Bender, also very well recorded, tends to downplay virtuosity, concentrating rather on making the music sound beautiful. It's a successful approach but lacks something of the excitement Ehnes is able to generate. Thomas Zehetmair, with sharp contrast of dynamic and tome colour, puts beauty of sound second to expressive intensity. His interpretations are highly imaginative, even extending to improvised variations of repeated passages. But of the three, Ehnes is my clear recommendation. he really is a top - class violinist, and it's a joy to hear such difficult pieces sounding so completely comfortable and unfettered. CD OF THE MONTH --Gramophone January 2010
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Big fan of James Ehnes, own many of his albums. Happy with the quality of the recording and the performance.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For anyone even slightly interested in or moved by the violin James Ehnes' discs are rapidly becoming compulsory purchases. In an age of faceless virtuosity Ehnes adds profound musical insight and glorious music making to a superlative technique. Witness this disc; too often these Caprices can sound like a battle field between music and musician - a kind of fight to the death. Ehnes plays them with jaw-dropping ease YET his main intent is to find the music and meaning that lies behind the forest of notes. It is all so effortless and graceful. A phenomenal musician and by all accounts a nice chap too!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
An Authoritative Recording
18 Mar 2011
Format:Audio CD
Any student, teacher, or violin enthusiast must have a copy of Ehnes' second take on the Caprices. This is one of the great recordings of these works. The "Heifetz" of today? There is no doubt.
An astonishing display of virtuosity and musicality
16 Dec 2011
Format:Audio CD
This must rank as one of the supreme recordings of these virtuosic pieces, bar none. In recent weeks I have also heard the much touted recording by Julia Fischer. But, as good as she is, her document is no match to what Ehnes accomplished here. This is Ehnes' second recording (I have not heard the first) of these pieces and obviously he has made them a central part of his repertoire. To the reviewer who called Ehnes "the Heifetz of today", I wholeheartedly concur. As for why he is not better known or as well-known as Julia Fischer, well, it is one of the mysteries of the music industry. But what a violinist! Can we please have J.S. Bach's Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin? The potential alone of an Ehnes Bach cycle must have many a violinist out there quivering in sheer fear. But a delight to his admirers.
[See what I mean about not being as well known? Ehnes has indeed previously recorded the Bach Sonatas & Partitas, for the Analekta label. Must seek it.]
[See what I mean about not being as well known? Ehnes has indeed previously recorded the Bach Sonatas & Partitas, for the Analekta label. Must seek it.]
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