A fresh look at the Tchaik.

Edited: August 1, 2023, 4:54 PM · Greetings,
I recently found this recording of the old warhorse on youtube.
https://youtu.be/9WVIxx8EfdM
Hadelich is, of course, one of the all time great violnists, but this performance is so refreshin. Not violnist and orchestra more or less cooperating, sharing the same stage and startign and finishing togther, more or less. But a rather gentle exploration of what the composer actually wrote. The closest to chamber music I have ever heard this perfomred. The soloist knws the score, the conducter knows the score, the orchestra does and they are having fun playing togther. Hadelich interacts withindividual playes (check out clarinet violin dialoge in opening as just one example) as though we are watching a fascinating converstaion at a dinner party of intellectuals. A version to treasure.
Cheers,
Buri

Replies (6)

Paul Deck

August 1, 2023, 6:02 PM · Just once I'd like to hear a cadenza for one of these warhorse concertos that quotes from Arthur Hamilton's "Cry Me a River" or some unmistakable Ellington tune.

Just before the encore, notice Hadelich wipes his strings on the sleeve of his jacket! Respect!!

But, I have to agree with Buri that this performance with FRSO was incredibly sensitive and utterly convincing.

Mary Ellen Goree

Edited: August 1, 2023, 7:07 PM · I had the privilege of subbing in the Nashville Symphony last season when Augustin Hadelich played Tchaikovsky. Those performances were a revelation.

Richard Pairaudeau

August 2, 2023, 2:21 AM · Fully agree, Buri...it's a fabulous performance. I loved his sticking to the lower octave in the 2nd. movement reprise of the theme, decorated by the woodwind bird calls. You don't need to climb the tree to enjoy the nightingales... .

Marco Brancalion

August 2, 2023, 9:26 AM · I did not know that video. I had time to watch it only for 10 minutes, but i'll listen to it surely.

Thank you for posting this info. I like Hadelich's playing really a lot, and this is a gem.
I find that, over the perfection in tone and pitch, he plays with an intention more made of darkness and brightness, more interestingly dynamically than the majority of performers nowadays.
Really a performer that moves me. And it's not that easy, speaking of classical music :)

Sander Marcus

August 2, 2023, 1:30 PM · Wonderful performance. And, yes, unique in it's own way. I think that if you'll acquaint yourself with an old warhorse performance, by Zino Francescatti, you'll find another unique, timeless performance. His technical elegance, "singing" vocal quality (even in fast passages), warmth, and other subtleties are like no one else.

I've said this before. I've always wondered if the fact that his father was a major teacher who had studied with Sivori who had studied with Paganini is one of the things that makes Francescatti unique. If so (and there's no way to prove it), is one aspect of Francescatti's playing actually that it has a direct connection with Paganini?

Just a thought.

jean dubuisson

August 3, 2023, 8:01 AM · thanks for the tip Buri! yes, he plays it in "classical" style. I like it very much.

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