Paganini. Violin Concerto No. 1; Spohr. Violin Concerto No. 8

Customer Reviews

In her own way

2008-12-06
In this recording, as in others, Hilary has thought the music through and takes her own unique approach to it. This Paganini concerto is as potentially flashy as anything ever written for the instrument. but Hilary looks beyond the flash and concentrates on the musicality. Looking over the reviews of this and other recordings by Hilary Hahn, it is obvious that many reviewers are describing their own musical tastes more than Hilary's performances. Those who like flash hate this recording. Those who like music love it.

This evening I listened through this Paganini performance by Hilary back to back with the Yehudi Menuhin recording of 1961. The differences are vast. I like Hilary's better, not only for her absolute technical mastery, but even more for her musical approach. By slowing the tempo a bit in places, she was able to actually insert some real musical interpretation into the piece. For example, descending runs which others rush through mechanically, Hilary slows a bit in order to indulge in some sensuous slides. Others may object that such wasn't Paganini's intent, but Hilary the artist takes her own artistic license with the music. She takes about three minutes longer than Menuhin to get through the first movement to, I think, wonderful effect.

It would be interesting to see what Gil Shahan would do with this music. It would surely be very different from Hilary's interpretation--just as artistically valid in its own way, I would think, but with totally different effect.

As a violinist who has spent a lot of time around other string players, I am often bemused by the attitudes some people show toward violin show pieces. One of my teachers loved to play the Sarasate Carmen Fantasy--just for fun, and because he could. He also played serious pieces with deep intensity--but, hey, why not have some fun once in awhile? Shame on all those reviewers who deprecate Hilary for having some fun with a bit of violin fluff. Especially when she has taken thought to mix some real musicality into it.

Not The Paganini I Know

2008-07-05
A thoroughly adequate workman-like performance. No doubt probably technically correct in every detail, this rendition of the Paganini concerto lacked the fire and passion I associate with this great Italian violinist and composer's virtuosity. Likewise, this version of the Spohr work lacked the heart and good humour one should expect from a world class performance. Let us hope that eventually Ms. Hahn will mature.

The best Paganini concerto no. 1 that I have listen to so far.

2007-12-15
This is by far the best Paganini Concerto #1 that I have listened to. I did not write the review before I could listen to quite a few performances of the same, including the excessively praised Accardo. I must indicate that Hilary Hahn is truly the best. Her virtuoso is combined perfectly with a sense of emotion that comes out delicately giving Paganini's concerto no. 1 the meaning and interpretation it deserves. The latter is especially reflected in the third movement. Not just only a collection of technically challenging combination of notes but a whole composition that is a pleasure to the ear, revealing perfection. So, although I am not a "pro" I give this performance 5 stars without reservation.

Hilary Hahn - Beautiful CD

2007-08-24
This is just a great recording. The performance is alive, sparkling and fast. How great to have such a beautiful and gifted performer and backup.

I wish I could choose 6 stars

2007-07-04
Ms. Hahn continues to delight and amaze. This is, of course, a virtuosic piece, and H.H. gives it her usual sensitive, brilliant, flawless reading.

{~~}==# HILARY DIVINED - the POPE OF the VIOLIN "bewitches" and makes an "exorcism" of the "diabolic" parts in the PAGANINI!

2007-06-13
HILARY HAHN SIMPLY SHINES IN THESE ROMANTIC VIRTUOSO SHOWPIECES Star violinist Hilary Hahn performs violin concertos by two predominant violin virtuosos of the early Romantic era, Italian Niccolo Paganini and German Louis Spohr. Both concertos were composed around 1816 to serve as effective showpieces for their composersÂ’ tour activities and are packed with stunningly virtuosic figures, beautiful cantilenas, and dramatic effects that were intended to leave the audience breathless and helped to establish the violinistsÂ’ legendary status.

Hilary Hahn has the superior technique needed to tackle even the most difficult figures and to make this music shine. Her performances of the Paganini Concerto have been hailed by critics: "Hilary Hahn, this queen of Apollonian clarity and compelling concentration . . . In her playing the wondrously singing lyrical passages were a response to the flawless ecstasy of supreme violinistic artistry." (SÃ¼ddeutsche Zeitung)

Well, it depends on what you're looking for 2007-05-14
I happened to listen to both concertos on the radio. Here is my opinion: technically, it's really, really good. Maybe too good sometimes. Musically, I have absolutely NO intention to listen to it again any time soon.
However, just for the record, I do admire Miss Hahn as a violinist. Playing the fiddle is not an easy thing to do, folks.

too boomy 2007-05-07
The violin playing is beautiful, but for you audiophiles, the bass sound is a little boomy.

A disaster 2007-04-26
No offense folks...but what is WRONG with you guys??? Can't you hear how plain, flat-out BAD this is? Has anyone here heard the Paganini done by ANYONE else? If you haven't, you're just not qualified to review this CD.

And the Spohr--as music--is so intensely boring I had to turn it off. It took all my willpower to get to the end of the damned thing. And I like a lot of Spohr's stuff. For instance, his Quintet for piano and winds is an out-and-out masterpiece. But this thing? It sucks. Plain and simple. Cliched, dull, boring. And Hahn's performance just accentuates everything that's wrong with it.

But, to return to the Paganini. This performance is an utter disgrace. Larry Vandesant's review was right on the money, as far as it went. I think he was being generous, myself. This is NOT the sort of thing Hahn should be playing.

Truth is, Hahn has been overhyped from the start. She is a decent violinist, with a clean technique, and almost nothing to say of any interest in ANY of the repertoire she plays. This Paganini is a perfect case in point. She clearly hasn't the faintest idea of what to do with this piece, except play all the notes as cleanly and flawlessly as possible. And I know she is intelligent enough to know that that is simply NOT enough. That gets you in the door, in Paganini. Then you have to DO something with it. Anything. And that's the problem here.

Paganini's music is short on substance to start with. You have to make something out of it. If you don't, it's nearly as dull as the Spohr, even with all those gymnastics. Hahn plays this thing as if she's a wind-up robot. It's terrible. Listen to Kogan, or Ricci, or, Heaven help me, even Itzak Perlman--who I can't stand, usually--at least those guys put some BLOOD into it, for chrissakes!

You guys who are lauding this thing just don't have a clue. Not a clue. It's sad. Because this is a case of the empress having no clothes...

True, I'm no fan of Hahn. Ok. But, regardless, this performance of Paganini is an embarrassment all around, by any standard (I second Larry's castigation of Oue's work. It's so bad I don't even know where to start).

Both Oue and Hahn should be forced to listen to Harnoncourt conducting anything for a few hours. Then maybe they'd get a clue that you have TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS STUFF! You can't just "play it." Brahms? You can just play it. It won't be great, but it won't suck. Music like the Paganini? Whole different deal. Too bad Reinhard Goebel never recorded this..not that he would have. But if he ever had, it would have been a hoot. And a hoot is WHAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE! Or a jaunt, or a trip...or something. This performance is nothing. Blah.

Yeeeesh... Where's my Kogan..I need an antidote to this sleepwalk. Phooey.

Excelence is really the enemy of the good? 2007-04-23
I always hear that excelence in many aspects is the major foe for the good a well performed things. But this time I will defend Ms Hilary, her tune, and sound is wonderful, may be the Paganini is not an exact copy of the others great Paganini's performers, but is her own version, and I liked so much.
The first movement has interesting things, some of them remember me the Francescatti version, not for simile, for different, in some parts Hilary remember us, that Paganini is a romantic composer
The Hilary's Paganini's Concerto, is her own version, I agreed with the first movement and the second, clear and tonefull, the third movement is like the others that play the great masters. Now I think important considerer her the next great master.
May be for many people she needs to improve many things, I think that she is developing her skills, and adding the life experience that only the years could resolve.
I recommend u adquire this CD and judge by yourself if u like that a young girl plays like the greats maestros.