Trauma Christmas and a Review

December 27, 2005 at 7:25 PM

I'm back.
If any of you are interested in my trauma Christmas, I suggest you read my entry at
www.xanga.com/Nessa_Narmolanya. I don't feel like re-typing it all out. And yes, I am lazy.

I got two Joshua Bell CDs for Christmas. Following is a review of his Sibelius Goldmark CD.

Of all Joshua Bell's CD's the Sibelius and Golmark Violin Concerto recording was the only one I have ever been displeased with.
The CD opens with one of my most favorite pieces of music ever; Jean Sibelius' Concerto for Violin. While there are several concerti that are considered a "rite of passage", such as the Tchaikovsky and the Brahms, the Sibelius is one of those that are reserved for only the highest of violin masters. This deadly work of art calls not only for superb technical abilities, but also a high caliber musician to be pulled off. Joshua Bell possesses both of these traits, but there are several major issues with his performance of the Sibelius. First of all, the tempo in the first and third movements is very slow. Joshua often takes ritards where it feels as if an accelerando would not be out of place, and in general, both of these movements drag precariously. As always, Joshua's crystalline tone adds an unearthly charm and quality to the Sibelius, but at times, his warm vibrato seems too loving for the almost-harsh sound of this Finnish concerto. He lacks the "cold steel" sound achieved by Hilary Hahn and more especially Jascha Heifetz, that gives the Sibelius its characteristic dark and chilling quality. My biggest disappointment came at the big finale at the end of the third movement. The tempo was very slow. There was no power behind the music, no accelerando, not even a good solid forte (or preferrably fortissimo) to bring the concerto to its dramatic close. Joshua Bell then ends the final run up the E string with a flighty sounding harmonic. If a harmonc is to be used as the conclusion to so mighty a concerto, it needs more "meat" to achieve a suficiently hefty ending. Over all, the Sibelius concerto on this CD was a great disappointment.
Having never heard the following concerto before, and still wallowing in my horror of the Sibelius, I was pleasantly relieved to hear Joshua Bell's charming rendition of the Goldmark Concerto. Although Joshua's gentle, romantic style is out of place in the sinister Sibelius, it is more than welcome in this moving concerto. This piece is, surprisingly, written by the teacher and mentor of Jean Sibelius, Goldmark. I say surprisingly because the two concerti are in sharp contrast to one another; the Sibelius has a dark brooding mood whilst the Goldmark has a sweet and sometimes melancholy temperment. Joshua Bell does this lovely piece justice.
I wouldn't reccomend this CD unless the Sibelius was cut out. If anyone wishes to hear a proper version of this wonderful violin concerto, I would point them in the direction of Jascha Heifetz's recording on his album "The Supreme". If one is looking for the Goldmark, however, this is the album they would want.

Apologies for any typos.
~natasha~

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on December 27, 2005 at 8:37 PM

Natasha, I like your review. It is very well written. I also like what you said. I find that JB often has an overly sweet, cloying tone. I'm not a fan of JB. (Sorry, Sydney)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on December 27, 2005 at 8:42 PM

Natasha, I just read your other blog. I'm so sorry that you and your sister were both so sick. I hope that you get good medical attention and care soon, and I hope the two of you feel much better soon.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on December 27, 2005 at 10:34 PM

If you remember, the reason JB became one of my favorite violinists was because I happened to catch the 3rd movemnt of Goldmark in the car. I liked the 1st movement of the Sibelius, but I agree wih you about the 3rd movement. It is too slow.

From Pieter Viljoen
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 12:39 AM

Natasha,

It's very nice that you are so analytical about what you listen to, but your writing style seems as though it belongs to something trying way too hard. Try omitting superfluous details and gestures, and I think you're writing will come off as being more mature.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 1:02 AM

Pieter, she is 14. She is a superb writer, especially being 14. She will have plenty of time to develop her own style; plus, I like the "superfluous" details.

From Colleen Russo
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 1:17 AM

Natasha- Great review! ... and writing style. I think you come of very mature, and I too enjoy the 'superfluous" details ;) So don't change it!

From Pieter Viljoen
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 4:53 AM

Sydney,

A superfluous or redundant detail would be the bit about the "Finnish" concerto...

I think she is comming along very well, and I know that she is younger. I am only commenting because I used to write somewhat like that, emulating something else (and failing). I'm confident that she'll be refine herself as she ages.

Natasha and Sydney: I always hear you guys talking about newer violinists. You should both check out some of the old guys. However as far as new violinists, check out James Ehnes. I'm confident you'll love him (and that's to be taken literally in Sydney's case).

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 11:21 AM

Natasha, I like your writing style very much. I don't find it immature at all. I like the vividness and the details. If I sound like an English teacher, that's because writing is one of the things I have taught.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 6:37 PM

God, Pieter. I don't looooooovvve Joshua Bell! Of course, that is what you are implying. I admire his playing and it took a lot for me to do so! I would pay more attention "The Greats" except that I do not have the CDs or the money to buy the CDs.

Also, that "superfluous" detail about the composer being Finnish, I didn't know that. So, it may have been superfluous to you, but to others, not. There!

From Natasha Marsalli
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 6:39 PM

Thank you all for your comments. I actually agree that I sometimes get carried away. But my English grader loves that, so I write everything like that now. My Dad despises my writing style, but pooey for him.

Again, thank you all for reading! I really enjoy writing reviews about things I have read or listened to, and since I almost always have to write about things I dislike, this is where I vent all of my thoughts that only musicians would care about. I've been toying with the idea of being a music critic for about a year now (because I love writing and music so much), and you all are wonderful to read through all of my ramblings.
THANK YOU VIOLINIST.COM!

~Natasha~

From Eric Stanfield
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 7:56 PM

Good review. Somehow I doubt you posted it for critical review, but since you seem to be aware of styling - do some digging and read some of George Orwell's essays on writing. He believed the true power of well written prose was conveying your intent with the fewest - and most accurate - words available. In my mind, Orwell was the Heifetz (or whoever) of the literary world when it came to his essays.

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Trauma Christmas and a Review

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