D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 09/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is a mistake to view Sarah Chang simply as a very-talented child prodigy. Rather, despite her youth, she is a great violinist by any standard -- fully worthy to be compared to the finest violinists of the recorded music era. Her performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto is as fine as any currently available and better than most. The Brahms dances are equally superb. If you love the violin and haven't yet heard this outstanding artist, do yourself a favor and buy this CD."
Do a blind test
Electrostat Dan | CA, USA | 10/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's difficult to acknowledge the possibility that a mere child could achieve greatness in a concerto such as the Tchaikovsky.
I encountered this recording in a different way, having tuned in on the radio after the start of the concerto. I had no idea who was playing, all I knew was the intensity, the almost Hitchcockian tension, the musicality, the absolutely impeccable intonation. This was the performance of a master. It was riveting, grabbed me away from what I was doing. I've never heard the Tchaikovsky played so well. (I grew up with the Heifetz and own several versions... one of my favorite concertos.)
It was Sarah Chang. Must be a new recording I thought. My she has come a long way since her start. I must look for this new recording of hers.
Of course it turned out to be THIS recording, the finest I've ever heard of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. It deserves to be listened to solely on its merits, without regard to the performer's age."
Phenomenal
Electrostat Dan | 06/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For her age, Miss Chang continues to display a developing talent that is starting to rival those such as Jascha Heifetz and the squeaky but great Anna Sophie Mutter. Also, she appears to have a gift of changing the intensities of her emotions from one dramatic extreme to the other at an instant. The so called "annoying amount of applause" is a testament to the abilities of this amazing young star."
Great!
DKDC | Washington, DC USA | 04/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like ElectrostatDan - I heard this on the radio having missed the info of who it was. I thought it was incredibly good!
By an 11 year old?????
Even more incredible.
"
Amazing Performance!
Donald G. Hite III | Houston, Tx USA | 06/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think Sarah Chang's recording is absolutely amazing. Her playing is on par with almost every other recording I've heard, and I highly doubt anyone could tell the violinist was 11 by listening to this playing. It's truly great by any standard.
Some might criticize her playing as "immature", but I don't really buy that. Even if her playing at this young age is different than she might perform it today or a older performer might play it, what is so bad about that? Who decided that a child can't have an opinion or point of view that is valid for it's own sake (as opposed to just being a "flawed" version of their future self)? Children often see things in more simply terms, but let's face it... the Tchaikovsky Concerto, for all it's greatness, isn't a particularly complicated or profound piece of music. It's a virtuoso piece with beautiful melodies, and for this reason offers an excellent vehicle for a younger player who might lack the insight to play a more intellectually challenging concerto like Shostakovich No 1 or Sibelius.
Children often have the ability to cut through everything and get down to the obvious truth of an issue that adults might over-analyze half to death... I think Chang's interpretation of the piece is just that. She doesn't over do anything. She just plays beautiful, well-phrased music with flawless technique. I think that's quite an accomplish at any age."