"What separates Salerno-Sonnenberg from other violinists is the pure emotion conveyed in her music. The power, sorrow or joy she expresses at any given moment is almost palpable. In fact, I remember listening to the first track on It Ain't Necessarily So and literally getting goosbumps. It's a stunning Kreisler piece that steadily builds in strength and tempo. Sonnenberg capitalizes on these elements, offering an unforgettable delivery. Many of the tracks on the album emit such raw energy -- It Ain't Necessarily so is not an album that will put one to sleep. Beyond strength, what makes this album worthwhile is the diverse selection of music. Of course Salerno-Sonnenberg interprets Kreisler, but she also plays Gershwin, Kroll, Schubert and even the jazz of Scott Joplin. The one complaint I have about this album is the sonics. For such a great musician, I think EMI could have recorded a little bit more dynamically. But don't let this keep you from owning the album. It's a truly great one."
Soul Quenching Expression
Damian P. Gadal | Santa Barbara, CA USA | 10/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Making great music lies in the ability to express things words can't, to touch the soul, capture the moment and move the heart.It takes a great artist to perform great music!Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is such an artist and this release is one of her many gifts to the music loving world!"
Fire and Passion!
Darren Burton | Ogden, Utah United States | 11/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Check out Track #5 - Liebesieid - for a small sampling of the tremendous emotional pull of Nadja's playing. I have several CDs of Itzhak Perman, and Anne-Sophie Mutter, but no violinist matches Nadja's gift of making each piece her own - you know that she truely feels the music - it flows through her - and it isn't just a dry technical playing of the piece."
Perfection
Nico James | Philadelphia, PA United States | 11/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Salerno-Sonnenberg's passionate, elegant, heartbreaking interpretations of these wonderful selections is perfectly paired with Sandra Rivers at the piano. I shall never forget their performance of "Claire de lune," the Kreisler pieces, or the exquisite Rachmaninov "Vocalise." In her hands, the violin becomes voice and reeds and brass -- transcending itself and taking the audience right along."