Search - Edward Elgar, Cesar Franck, Midori :: Franck: Sonata for violin in A; Elgar: Sonata for violin in Em

Simply great music

music_head | San Francisco, USA | 11/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great violinist.Midori takes Elgar's Sonata with passion. It's simply breath-taking. I can see some inteligence here... but how delicate it is. Their interplay creates dimension, and silence comes so strong between the notes. When the central melody of the 2nd Movement comes back in the 3rd movement, it becomes truly a moving moment.I give a credit to her Franck. It is very introspective. She takes a very long stride, instead of playing phrase by phrase she slowly and gradually opens the music. When it reveals strong emotion once a while then it becomes truly meaningful. She's got a point there. It struck my mind so strong.I strongly recommend this disc. To any classical music listener."

5 stars for Elgar and 4 stars for Franck

A Classical Fan | New York, NY USA | 02/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most convincing and most gorgeous Elgar I 've ever heard. She expresses the inner emotion of the music so well. Intense opening and drama of the first movement, slowly evolving emotion in the second movement and eloquence of the 3rd movement, every detail is well considered and structured, yet they let the music grow and flow. Her tonal beauty (sensitive but warm pearly tone) comes so strong in 2nd and 3rd movements. Midori's Elgar makes all the other recordings of Elgar somewhat pale. Oh, by the way, her accompanist is great.My personal opinion for Midori's Franck's sonata is that it sounds somewhat lacking in something. I think she tackled this one in the same manner as in Elgar. I still think the best choice for Franck is Kyung Wha Chung & Radu Lupu from Decca. Chung really lets the air come through with her deeply felt emotion and her silvery tone (kinda reminds me of autumn leaves) beautifully works with the music. In Midori's case, her linear readings miss capturing the atmosphere. She sounds like she is thinking about the structure rather than feeling the music.Well, overall, This CD is worth buying even just to listen to Elgar."

Pretty good

Mark Hennicke | 07/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I want to concurr in every way with the previous reviewer. The Elgar, which I'd never heard before, was a revelation and I'd say it's almost as good as the three Brahms sonatas. Midori and her accompanist play it very well. The Franck is less successful. Midori, who's intonation is beyond belief -- technically, she is astounding -- is less expressive and emotional than in the Elgar. McDonald is excellent throughout. To take a step back, Midori, who has taken some hits for being an unmusical child virtuoso, is clearly attempting to establish herself as a more serious musician in some unshowy repertory. She's on her way and we should thank her for selecting the Elgar."