Search - Niccolo Paganini, Camille Saint-Saens, Franz Waxman :: Niccolo Paganini: Violin concerto No. 1; Franz Waxman: Carmen Fantasie; Camille Saint-Saëns: Havanaise; Introduction

Words Fail To Describe This Performance!

Thomas Philips | Fairfield, CT USA | 03/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has to be the definitive recording of the Paganini Concerto. I have listened to many performers, such as Perlman, Kayler, and Chang, and have never been fully satisfied with how they play it. Perlman plays it too slowly. Kayler flubs the last movement except for his pristine artificial harmonics, and Chang is just boring. Maxim Vengerov brings such enthusiasm to this piece. It's almost as if Paganini knew Vengerov would be born to champion his concertos. The cadenza he chose was a bit different than most. He combined both of Emile Sauret's cadenzas. It was weird, but good. The second movement was just phenomenal. To me, it seems like Paganini invented smooth jazz right there. The third movement is great. The artificial harmonics are almost all there, and he takes a nice brisk tempo. Overall, a triumphant conclusion to one of my favorite concertos. The Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso is a truly amazing work of art. Saint - Saens was a genius. The piece was written for my favorite violinist - Pablo de Sarasate. This brought Saint - Saens to international recognition. The piece rings with Spanish flavor, and Vengerov captures it perfectly. He is also one of the only performers I've heard that do the artifcial harmonics after the fast scale. The end is taken slightly below tempo. A good recording of that part is by Zino Francescatti. To me, THAT is the tempo. The Havanaise is a marvelous piece which shows Saint - Saens as a lyricist. I love the piece for its flowing lyricism and dazzling virtuosity. The runs in thirds sixths are especially difficult. The Waxman Carmen Fantasy is OK. I prefer the ones by Jeno Hubay as performed by Gil Shaham, and the Sarasate Carmen Fantasy, as performed by Aaron Rosand. This piece was tailored for Heifetz's brilliance, and not for his lyricism. Vengerov does remind me of Heifetz in terms of vibrato speed and tempi.I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone who loves good violin music."