Search - Bela Bartok, Fritz Kreisler, Niccolo Paganini :: Leila Josefowicz: Solo

The Reigning Virtuosa of the Violin!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leila Josefowicz has that rare combination of extraordinary technique, sensitivity to style, and amazing stage presence that has resulted in her becoming one of the most sought after violinist on the concert stage today. She is simply amazing, capable of tossing off inconceivably difficult passages, yet warming to the expressivity of the highest realm.



This CD is a wise one to learn just how fine a musician she is. In electing to do a full recital of works for violin alone she is fully exposed and lives up to every challenge in this demanding program. The Bartok Sonata is one of the finest examples of this genre and Josefowicz understands every quirk and turn and bit of passion and plays it as though it were a simple tune. She offers Fritz Kreisler's 'Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice for violin solo' in such a manner that resurrects this brilliant violinist composer's reputation. Niccolo Paganini's 'Capriccio in G major' is so clearly articulated that all of the hidden secrets are unveiled. The Eugene-Auguste Ysaye's sonatas may not be well known, but as Josefowicz performs them they should become part of every violinist's repertoire.



Another of the major joys of Leila Josefowicz' career is her commitment to contemporary music. She tackles the most difficult of the new violin concerti and plays them without score as though they had been around for ages. Her instrument is a Guaraneri "del Gesu" made in 1724 and in her hands this treasureable violin produces a huge, very warm sound. She is currently performing the Oliver Knussen Violin Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic with her ardent admirer Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting. It is a miracle of a work and we can only hope a recording will soon follow. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05"

Leila Josefowicz - the Phillips CD is amazing.

Letty Dorney | Texas, U.S.A. | 01/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leila Josefowicz began her career very young, somewhere around 13 in Philidelphia, or Boston, or New York. Nonetheless, she's had her early fare share of performances and repertoire. A wonderful violinst is she who is clear and emotional in her violin skills. For this CD she recieved the very presitgious Diapason d'Or prize. Two things about Leila:
Good - One of the best solo violinists out there
Bad - NOT one of the best concerto violinists out there. So, when youre looking for solo, you've come to the right place. Although she does demonstrate her skills in violin concerto repertoire, it's not quite as 'perfect' as say Vengerov, Oistrakh, or Heifetz, not too many can compare to her solo skills. In this rendition of Ysaye's, Ernst's, Paganini's, Bartok's, and Kreisler's select compositions, Josefowicz (I pronounce "yo-se-fow-ikz" others say - "Jos-eh-fOW-ikz") had a fun time making a 'random' repertoire album neatly made and very clearly recorded by Phillips. To begin with, I havn't heard any other performers of the Bartok, Ysaye or Ernst. Leila plays the Bartok impectible, playing every note, and phrasing incredibly well. Her understanding of Bartok's style is evident; Bartok has a unique bowing grip exectution style. Not the bow hold, but the way the bow hair grips the string and the execution. Leila performs this amazing. About the Bartok Sonata: it's a very, very, modern sounding composition. An array of colours, themes, and styles. It is difficult to explain these movements as they are all very different from eachother. the first is the longest, but most beautiful. The second, his very non-personal composition of notes and glissando mixed in unison with pizzicato. His third, the very slow and beautiful one made up of slow notes, double-stops all revolving around a three-note theme of harmonics - brilliantly made. His fourth, the 'fast' one is "neat". It's full of jumping, joyful themes. Next comes Kreislers "Recitativo And Scherzo". It's a nicly made piece consisting of two contrasting parts. The Recitativo is slow, modern and romantic. The Scherzo is fun but doesn't quite mix with the Recitativo. Alone, it would be amazing, but what can I say - I didn't compose them! Leila performs the Recitativo alike that of the other performers i've heard, but the Scherzo is a bit different. Same phrasing, talanted, but she gets carried away with the tempo and doesn't slow down towrds the end. Where's the accelerando marking? Paganini's "Nel Cor Piu Non me sento" from Paisiello's La molinara for violin solo. What a composition is this... Not much to say other than YOU MUST HEAR THIS. Leila performes each variation AMAZINGLY... With this composition, the performer can have a little fun changing phrasing, tempo, etc. Leila doesn't play around too much, only in the slow, second-to last variation. (I believe there are seven all together). Anyways, you must hear this composition, and a very good recording of this is by Josefowicz. The Ysaye.. Oh, the Ysaye. Ysaye is my favorite composer. Him and Paganini. But, this Ysaye sonata is amazing. Simply beautiful in every way. THE best recording made, and she has been given recognition for this.... Ernst: Ernst is a brilliant composer of virtuocity. Not many composers rank among his stature in technicality. Paganini, Weiniawski, Ernst, Vieuxtemps... This composition, which he 'samples' the theme of the Schubert's D. 328, Erlkönig, can be classified as a "Perpetual Motion" or "Perpetuum Mobile". It's a non-stop work of either fast 8ths, or steady 16th notes. How one could play this is past me... But Leila does a great job, especially with the harmonics. Wanna know why Heifetz didn't play this? The greatest violinist (one of the) of the past 100 years COULDNT play this piece because of the harmonics. Josefowicz show's how it should and IS played... Simply amazing. !"

The Bow!

A violin student | Anacortes, WA United States | 02/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this CD Leila explores so many different colors and textures - it never ceases to amaze me. Plus, her musical selections make the CD a pleasure to listen to as a whole. A dynamite album that will keep you on the edge of your seat!"