Joshua Bell - Red Violin Concerto

great violinist

Joshua Bell is an amazing violinist who is able to perform effectively in a wide range of musical genres. Although I prefer his recordings of the great classic concerti, this is still another beautiful cd. November 19, 2008

A Fiddle of Infinite Jest

Forty years passed between the composition of Corigliano's "Sonata for violin and Piano" (1963) and the Red Violin Concerto premiere in 2003. The two works are very different in scope and scale, but to my ears they have a lot in common. I don't guarantee that I could recognize a previously unheard piece of music instantly as Corigliano's, but I'd be willing to try. In his notes for this CD, Corigliano says: the sonata is "for the most part a tonal work, although it incorporates non-tonal and poly-tonal sections within it, as well as other 20th-century harmonic, rhythmic and construction techniques. The listener will recognize the work as the product of an American writer, although this is more the result of an American writing music than writing 'American' muisc -- a second-nature unconscious action on the composer's part." Gosh and golly, John, I think you may be optimistic about most listeners, but I hear what you mean. The great Czech composer Leos Janacek described his own efforts to shape his music, even instrumental, to the sound of the Czech language; most serious performers and listeners have agreed that he succeeded. This sonata by the young Corigliano sounds a lot like similar works by Janacek, except that the melodic language IS different and DOES sound like Americam English in some subjective manner that I can't quite define. I hear a slangy, sarcastic, but tender American voice in the phrases of the violin. I like this piece of music, and I appreciate the pairing of youthful and mature compositions on this CD.

Joshua Bell is a thrilling performer. I can't compare his playing of these two compositions to anyone else's, since I haven't heard any other, but Bell clearly has the bowing technique to meet any eccentic demands of the music. The 4th Movement "Accelerando Finale" of the Concerto calls for very violent bowing, incorporating the fiddle into the overall percussion texture of the music. It makes a witty and vigorous conclusion for a showy concerto.

The nucleus of the Red Violin Concerto is music that Conigliano composed for a film, which I haven't seen. Since I enjoy the Concerto thoroughly, I guess I'll rent the film. June 26, 2008

Meet John Corigliano, an extraordinary contemporary composer, and Joshua Bell, the great violinist

You may have overheard at some party the following or a similar comment coming from a self-proclaimed music expert: "I only listen to Beethoven and the real music. The contemporary composers just don't cut it". Then somebody asks: "Which contemporary composers do you have in mind?" The answer follows: "They are all so bad that I don't even remember their names". I shall spare you my pontification that there is a difference between ignorance (not all of us are familiar with all the composers) and stupidity (the refusal to get educated). Instead, I make a claim that even the staunchest haters of the contemporary composers will cave in to John Corigliano, if they only let themselves be exposed to his music. After hearing his music, they will be swept of their feet and they will never forget his name! John Corigliano is one of the most distinguished contemporary composers and has received all major awards, which you can find listed on Google. After hearing his compositions on this CD you will understand why these awards are given to him. It also becomes clear that these compositions will survive our times. Give yourself a chance to participate in the musical present and the future! This is not to say that you should dump all dead composers whom you love so dearly, just add somebody who is alive!

Maestro Joshua Bell excels in his hauntingly beautiful performance. The violin part is stunningly beautiful, and the performance does it justice. In a mix of unprecedented virtuosity and a sublime interpretation, Maestro Bell affirms that he is one of the best.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with Marin Alsop conducting, was great. It is difficult to choose between all great moments, but I especially liked the orchestral drama and the hell which was raised by the percussions (I have not been so excited about the percussions since I heard Carmina Burana).

The notes that accompany this CD are written masterfully by John Corigliano, who clearly also has a great talent of communicating with the listeners via the written words. He talks about his father, a very prominent violinist, and how he came to appreciate violin and its technical difficulties by listening to his father. Then he explains how he used the Baroque device of a chaconne (a repeated pattern of chords) to structure the red violin concerto. He offers further insights into his music, which will guide the listener to pick up and identify various innovative elements.

As an overall experience, one cannot escape the excitement that one has witnessed the greatness of Corigliano as a composer, and a great symbiotic relationship with Joshua Bell, with the result that 2+2 is more than 4!

February 4, 2008

Hieroglyphics

I used a gift card from Barnes and Noble. I loaded it on my Media Player.
Everything came out in Hieroglyphics of some sort. I took it back and explained the issue. They gave me another (as if the lot wasn't sent to them all at once.
Of course, it all came out with the same hieroglyphics. January 1, 2008

A Compelling Recording of Corigliano's "The Red Violin" Violin Concerto for Joshua Bell

If you happen to be among the many who greatly treasure Joshua Bell's expressive, lyrical style of playing (myself included), then you'll find much to rejoice in this recently released recording of composer John Corigliano's "The Red Violin" concerto for violin and orchestra. It's a fascinating four movement work which opens with a long Chaconne that's replete with extremely demanding phrasing from Bell's violin; observant fans may recognize that it was an important part of Corigliano's original movie score for the film of the same title, featuring Bell's energetic rhapsodic playing as the Red Violin's "voice". Moreover, it is a film score that seems to have some elements in common with the somewhat atonal film score that Corigliano composed for the film "Altered States"; the atonal aspects seem to be emphasized via percussion in each of the succeeding movements after the Chaconne (first movement). Recorded back in 2003 at the world premiere live concert debut, this work also features excellent playing from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the baton of its now current music director, Marin Alsop.

Rounding out this recording is a spirited performance of an early Corigliano work dating from the early 1960s, the Sonata for violin and piano. In stark contrast with Corigliano's recent work like the violin concerto, this is a musically enticing work that represents his early interest in tonal music. It also is a splendid piece that underscores the close collaboration Bell has had with his frequent accompanist, pianist Jeremy Denk. Without a doubt, fans of both Corigliano's music and Bell's sterling musicianship will want to add this fine CD to their collections.
December 18, 2007

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