Search - Paganini, Markov :: 24 Caprices

Who claims to know "how it was meant to be played"?

Maria | violin United States | 04/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After Seeing comments of some "highly acclaimed critics" on this website I must say that they seem not to have a need for Mr. Markov's CD but rather a desperate craving for a metronome and a synthesizer.
Rythm? Yes, a caprice is capricious, but I have a strong feeling of rythm in this heartfelt interpratation, and what? Do I not have a feeling for an even beat? I can still tap my foot if I want to. Will I enjoy this performance more? I doubt it.
Who really knows "How it was meant to be played"(I do not claim know)? Many claim to know, but who REALLY knows? Do they arrive at these precise conclusions after exhuming and examining dead bodies of composers? Sure, there are general guidelines in scores, but it is only comparable to a very general outline. I would hate to see all performers striving to recreate intentions of composers. Each individual interpratation is like a jewel. This one is certainly a precious stone, priceless, yet still [affordable].
Intonation? It is funny that someone would have a need to complain. I was blessed with the curse of absolute pitch (supposedly) and in my humble opinion anyone who complains about this CD should put as much effort into self criticism as s/he did in writing a review that complains about intonation. I challenge this person/s to finding one Pagannini CD that has perfect intonation. This "perfection" does not exhist. I am not an emotional wreck looking for "emotional highs" I love "perfection".
I feel comical to even speak about these details. I only write to say this, because if a young player is drawn away from buying this CD, simply because of a very amatour critique (after maybe one semester of "Music and The Place It Has in Our Lives" in some small college) it would be an irrepairable loss. This must be the CD that I remember so fondly when as a child of six, I looked up to Mr. Markov and practiced six hours a day while listening to his CD (tape back then) every day. I can not express to You, how warmly I feel about this miracle, jewel of a performance."

Excellent live performance

Ian Nicklin | Bozeman, MT USA | 10/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an avid violinist who has just finished high school. Paganini wrote these caprices upon early retirement in early adulthood at about the same age as me. Within these 24 caprices lies the incredible technical wizardry of his playing.However, what is not present in the sheet paper is the demonic, powerful, and vivacious playing of the great master himself. As a violinist, it is obvious truth that much of Paganini's secrets disappeared with him to the grave.This leads up to this recording. As a violinist who is currently playing through caprices No. 1, 14, 20, and 24, this recording captures the essence of what Paganini should be. Markov's recording is not technically perfect and is bested in many aspects by other interpretations (Midori, for example). However, what makes this performance so incredible is the fact that it was recorded live in Italy and it exemplifies the dark, mysterious attributes of the composer. The pure wickedness with which Markov plays the caprices is definitely the most accurate interpretation: Paganini was most well known for pushing the violin to its limits, improvising readily in concert, and creating incredible musical contrasts. This is something that definitely does not come out on any other recording that I know of: other recordings are technically better but lack spirit and emotion, others are excellent but have an entirely different musical interpretation (Perlman).If all that had been accomplished was technique, perhaps the caprices would be etudes for study. Instead, they are the most powerful statement that an unaccompanied violinst can make, alongside the Bach unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas. Markov demonstrates this in a most excellent fashion, pushing the edge of musicality while keeping as much of the technical framework as is truly needed.The result is stunning, even compared to standards such as Accardo (another excellent interpretation, much more technical and arguably boring in comparison). Markov is truly a demon violinist, especially on the 24th caprice.This recording is a necessity for lovers of Paganini's works, classical fans, and especially violinists."