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Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1; Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8 |  | Creators: Niccolo Paganini, Louis Spohr, Eiji Oue, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hilary Hahn
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy Used: $4.49
as of 11/27/2009 22:08 CST details
You Save: $12.49 (74%)
New (27) Used (16) from $4.49
Seller: oncesoldtales
Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 4664
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 000718802
UPC: 028947762324
EAN: 0028947762324
ASIN: B000G04RKS
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Allegro maestoso | | • | Adagio | | • | Rondo (Allegro spirituoso) | | • | Recitative - Allegro molto | | • | Adagio - Andante | | • | Allegro moderato |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The Paganini concerto, with its combination of wild virtuosity and fatty, gushy melody, is a favorite of audiences and violinists; fiddlers love to strut their stuff and the public can't resist anything so juicy. Hilary Hahn here throws her violinist hat into the ring with Perlman, Kogan, and Gil Shaham and comes out looking just fine. She handles the incredibly showy outer movements with flair, poise, and startling precision, and spins out the long, Italian melodies in the middle movement beautifully. Similarly, she handles the Spohr almost as if it were composed for the voice--it's an enchanting performance. Simply stunning and highly recommended. --Robert Levine
Album Description
HILARY HAHN SIMPLY SHINES IN THESE ROMANTIC VIRTUOSO SHOWPIECES Star violinist Hilary Hahn performs violin concertos by two predominant violin virtuosos of the early Romantic era, Italian Niccolo Paganini and German Louis Spohr. Both concertos were composed around 1816 to serve as effective showpieces for their composersÂ' tour activities and are packed with stunningly virtuosic figures, beautiful cantilenas, and dramatic effects that were intended to leave the audience breathless and helped to establish the violinistsÂ' legendary status. Hilary Hahn has the superior technique needed to tackle even the most difficult figures and to make this music shine. Her performances of the Paganini Concerto have been hailed by critics: "Hilary Hahn, this queen of Apollonian clarity and compelling concentration . . . In her playing the wondrously singing lyrical passages were a response to the flawless ecstasy of supreme violinistic artistry." (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 26
 In her own way December 6, 2008
B. Tupper (Ramona, CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In this recording, as in others, Hilary has thought the music through and takes her own unique approach to it. This Paganini concerto is as potentially flashy as anything ever written for the instrument. but Hilary looks beyond the flash and concentrates on the musicality. Looking over the reviews of this and other recordings by Hilary Hahn, it is obvious that many reviewers are describing their own musical tastes more than Hilary's performances. Those who like flash hate this recording. Those who like music love it.
This evening I listened through this Paganini performance by Hilary back to back with the Yehudi Menuhin recording of 1961. The differences are vast. I like Hilary's better, not only for her absolute technical mastery, but even more for her musical approach. By slowing the tempo a bit in places, she was able to actually insert some real musical interpretation into the piece. For example, descending runs which others rush through mechanically, Hilary slows a bit in order to indulge in some sensuous slides. Others may object that such wasn't Paganini's intent, but Hilary the artist takes her own artistic license with the music. She takes about three minutes longer than Menuhin to get through the first movement to, I think, wonderful effect.
It would be interesting to see what Gil Shahan would do with this music. It would surely be very different from Hilary's interpretation--just as artistically valid in its own way, I would think, but with totally different effect.
As a violinist who has spent a lot of time around other string players, I am often bemused by the attitudes some people show toward violin show pieces. One of my teachers loved to play the Sarasate Carmen Fantasy--just for fun, and because he could. He also played serious pieces with deep intensity--but, hey, why not have some fun once in awhile? Shame on all those reviewers who deprecate Hilary for having some fun with a bit of violin fluff. Especially when she has taken thought to mix some real musicality into it.
 Not The Paganini I Know July 5, 2008
E.Toth (Chapel Hill, NC)
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
A thoroughly adequate workman-like performance. No doubt probably technically correct in every detail, this rendition of the Paganini concerto lacked the fire and passion I associate with this great Italian violinist and composer's virtuosity. Likewise, this version of the Spohr work lacked the heart and good humour one should expect from a world class performance. Let us hope that eventually Ms. Hahn will mature.
The best Paganini concerto no. 1 that I have listen to so far. December 15, 2007
Peter Vadasz (Flagstaff, AZ, USA)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is by far the best Paganini Concerto #1 that I have listened to. I did not write the review before I could listen to quite a few performances of the same, including the excessively praised Accardo. I must indicate that Hilary Hahn is truly the best. Her virtuoso is combined perfectly with a sense of emotion that comes out delicately giving Paganini's concerto no. 1 the meaning and interpretation it deserves. The latter is especially reflected in the third movement. Not just only a collection of technically challenging combination of notes but a whole composition that is a pleasure to the ear, revealing perfection. So, although I am not a "pro" I give this performance 5 stars without reservation.
Hilary Hahn - Beautiful CD August 24, 2007
Vitamike (San Francisco, CA USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is just a great recording. The performance is alive, sparkling and fast. How great to have such a beautiful and gifted performer and backup.
I wish I could choose 6 stars July 4, 2007
Newton Malerman (Abington, PA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Ms. Hahn continues to delight and amaze. This is, of course, a virtuosic piece, and H.H. gives it her usual sensitive, brilliant, flawless reading.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 26
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