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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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21 reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Superb performances of Romantic gems.
8 Sep 2000
Format:Audio CD
I have always loved the 2nd Wieniawski Violin concerto but I did not particularly like the 1st concerto until I heard it played by Gil Shaham in this recording. Now I love both of these concertos. Gil Shaham's performance of the 1st concerto is staggering in virtuosity and intensity but also artistically compelling and tonally gorgeous. I have never heard a performance of the Wieniawski 1st which even approaches this one. Shaham's performances of the more-lyrical 2nd concerto -- and the Legende and Ziegeunerweissen -- are also beautifully played. If you like violin music, please treat yourself to this CD.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
He'll Zigeuner your Weisen!!!!
26 Jun 2004
Format:Audio CD
It was this disc that brought me back to the world of Classical music years ago. The rather solemn cover was initially what caught my eye. I knew Wieniawski was a 19th Century virtuoso, but I was not familiar with his music or Gil Shaham. Despite my unfamiliarity, I thought such a solemn looking cover to be a little odd for a virtuoso oriented recording, so I purchased it. As soon as I got it home, I threw it in and it was Epiphany City from there!! Wieniawski, unlike many of his virtuoso violin contemporaries, appeared to have a greater grasp of both composition and melody and how to meld them. That isn't to say that he doesn't "spark" or "smoke" on occasion, I mean, he was a 19th century violin virtuoso in the purest sense!!! However, "sparks" and "smoke" were not the "be all, end all" attributes of his music!!! Nope!! With Wieniawski, all the "spark" and "smoke" was used to enhance his compositions rather than dominate them. The results? You be the judge!!
As for Mr. Shaham, the man's playing above reproach!! Above the stave, the man has no equal!! The guy can hit atmospheric notes that would compel Olympus to crumble at his feet!! What is really fascinating is that he can hang the note for measures on end and not reveal a whisper of a hint that it is coming from a stringed instrument!!! His tone is fat with Hebrew honey and when it comes to shredding, the man can more than comply!!! As the end of Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen will reveal!! Most importantly, he never allows himself to come between the music and the listener; however one can see him in the shadows on occasion! The only downside is that you will feel compelled to obtain all his other recordings at once! Despite this understandable desire, it may be more financially practical to just grab copies of his recordings of the Barber/Korngold and "The Fiddler of the Opera". Both are phenomenal!!
Lawrence Foster and the LSO are exceptional in this endeavor. They provide a sense of spontaneity and respect for the works that don't really accompany Mr. Shaham but rather provide a synergistic relationship with all involved!! By the way, I have come to the opinion that Mr. Foster has to be the greatest friend any violinist could or ever have!!
The sound quality is some of DG's finest!!!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Shaham tops the charts in Wieniawski interpretations
24 Sep 2003
Format:Audio CD
I have listened to the first concerto by Henryk Wieniawski and found it to be somewhat boring and sluggish. This I found out was not because of the music, but because of the player. After I listened to Shaham, I found it extremely exciting from the grandioso tenths to the three-string chords and to the ending. I find that he is the only violinist worth listening to play the first concerto. His second concerto is absolutely superb. Perlman's recording is fantastic but I found much more heart put into the Romance by Shaham. The Allegro con fuoco put fire into my heart when I listened to it. I find that Shaham's playing is so much more cleaner than Perlman and Heifetz and still maintains the fiery speed. The harmonics are just so slick and timed just right. The CD also includes Wieniawski's love song that got him married, Legende, and the ever-so-popular Sarasate piece, Zigeunerweisen. I find that Shaham interprets the Wieniawski concertos the best. Now if only Vengerov can record them...
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