Search - Karl Goldmark, James Conlon, Sarah Chang :: Goldmark - Violin Concerto · Prometheus-Overture / Sarah Chang · Conlon

A welcoming disc, and a great one!

David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 1990s has been somewhat kind to Goldmark's music. Yodani Butt with the Philharmonia (ASV) recorded his symphonies and other works while other artists and ensembles recorded his chamber and instrumental works (especially the great recording of his Suites for Violin and Piano performed by Wallin and Canino under a CPO recording). Record companies re-issued great recordings of his Rustic Wedding Symphony under Abravanel and Bernstein while others kept recordings of his works from deletion. On the debit side, however, the only complete recording of "Die Koniga Von Sheba" has been deleted by Hungaroton Classics Ltd. (a sad misfortune no doubt).This new EMI recording of Goldmark's Violin Concerto and overture (more of a symphonic poem) "Prometheus Bound" provide a wonderful continuation of the promotion of his art. What a marvellous performance violinist Sarah Chang gave us in the concerto. In terms of meeting with some of most virtuosic demands the concerto has to offer, Sarah Chang is not behind Itzhak Perlman's performance (also under EMI with Previn & the Pittsburgh Symphony). Chang's flexibility and approach is nothing but admirable and I'm especially awed at the warmth she displayed at the calm passages in the Allegro moderato movement. There's something magical there and even in the Andante. Perlman's approach is more stern and perhaps coarse, but Chang opted more for balance and it paid off. James Conlon and the Gurzenich-Orchestra Kolner Philharmonic gave their vivid, warm, and enthusiastic support. The same conductor/orchestra team gave us a great performance of Goldmark's "Promotheus Bound." Of the other recordings of the work, Conlon's approach generated greater emotional drive and convincing power. Despite the popularity of the Concerto, the recording is surprising scarce. Yes Goldmark adhered to the German Romantic tradition (the marchlike theme of the First Movement reminiscene the Finale in Bruckner's Sixth Symphony). But Goldmark's art is noble, beautiful, passionate, and honest and Sarah Chang and James Conlon with Gurzenich-Orchestra Kolner Philharmonic under this new EMI recording demonstrated that well and in great justice.A very welcoming disc indeed!"

Great Music!!

bourdour | Singapore | 07/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ALthough some may find this cd not economical as it only has the Goldmark concerto on record,this cd is nevertheless the best that Sarah has ever recorded. Here is an extremely talented artist who seems to possess an innate affinty for music.Her wonderfully unique tone,warm in the lower registers and shining brightly in the higher tessituras,coupled with her pleasing phrasings throughout the piece never fail to amaze the listener.In this case,she doesnt just amaze but she moves hearts and grabs the attention with full vibrato in certain phrases,and more aggressive bow strokes than her previous recordings,giving rise to impassioned playing that seamlessly shifts from that of noble melancholy to venomous outbursts of fury. If there is any cd that bears testament to the transition of Sarah Chang from prodigy to a mature artist,it has to be this disc.Major changes in tone from the sweet innocent sounding voice she had when she was young to the darker n fuller sounds shes got today,more assertive bowing coupled with a perfectly controlled vibrato and...as well as that special something inside Sarah which makes this piece almost sound like its been tailored for her!She does seem to have total understanding of this Goldmark Concerto....and she uses this to the fullest extent in playing of moving emotional intensity...when I hear Sarah,i always expect something deeply emotional,and this cd has been more than i expected. Lyrical in nature,it may not have the catchy melodies that of mendelsohnn and the bruch.I had slight trouble adjusting to Sarah's new tone and bowing as well as this rather uncommon work after being conditioned by her previous recordings...but after you get used to it...You'll love Goldmark's only violin concerto and Sarah. :)"

Soul-wrenching performance straight from Sarah's heart...

bourdour | Singapore | 05/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are some works of music that seem so inspired that its incredulous how the composer could have thought of such great tunes himself... The same applies to this very performance...Ive heard many cds...and Sarah is really in a class of her own.Obviously so;she never had to go through any of those violin competitions.Shes the most natural violinist. The same nine yr old girl who released her debut album MUST be gifted in a very very natural way.Hearing is Believing...her playing is inspired naturally.Even more so in this very recording of the Goldmark...I strongly recommend this album to any TRUE lover of music...music being defined as something truthful from the heart....its really amazing how Sarah will sound in another 10 yrs time.... i apologise for this informality...but words was never my preferred form of communication. :)"