Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Richard Stamp, Paul Robinson :: Ofra Harnoy - Vivaldi Cello Concertos Vol. 4

Two sides of a coin>I like mine

Dr. Alan D. Kardoff | Palm Bay, FL USA | 05/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Strange to read a review by a so-called seasoned cellist calling another, with much more skills, artistry, talent and aplomb, amateurish. Shall we put Yo Yo Ma in this category too. Ma plays lots of popular music and somehow converts rock lovers to classical notes. I have CDs by most and have heard others. Not as many as [some]. However, I buy items. I even sell some. Harnoy's skills are unquestioned, especially in classical. Her Dvorak Silent Woods and Bloch/Bruch CDs, just to cite two are unparalleled performances. Harnoy plays with pinache. She brings out the very best in Vivaldi. Perhaps her Canadian heritage upsets the reviewer. But, this performance with the Toronto S.O. stands on its own. Match it against the best--Ma, Fournier and even Rostropovich or Casals. I stay with Harnoy.She shows masterful interpretation of Vivaldi's intent, meaning and message. This is conveyed through precise, clear and proper intonation, playing and emotion. I am still waiting to hear Harnoy's version of Four Seasons. But until then, I will go throughout the classical stores trying to find Harnoy's works in stock. My Harnoy Vivaldi CDs are not for loan or borrow, except to spouse and siblings. This is how much I treasure her artistry. Two economists can look at the same thing and see totally different perspectives. Musicians should be able to have some degree of appreciation for talent. As an educator, I learn from Harnoy each time. Maybe Amazon will double its supply of Harnoy CDs in stock. Her playing is superb as exemplified in this outstanding set of concertos.Alan D. Kardoff, Ed.D."

A must for afficionados of baroque cello

H. Jackson | Davis, CA | 12/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I, too, am puzzled by the first review (probably found at end of reviews) of this item. Harnoy is not so popularly well known as other cellists, but I am grateful that she has produced this and other CD's in a series of Vivaldi's cello concertos -- probably all of his known cello concertos. True that Yo-yo Ma also has an album (just 1) of Vivaldi cello concertos, but Harnoy's production was first and holds up very well.



Taken as together a complete 3 CD set, you may find some concertos less interesting than others. It is hard to find these recordings (out of print?), so if you see them used at a decent price, snatch them up!"

I HAVE seen Ofra live

Patrick Cunningham | Caslav, Czech Republic | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Reviewer number one sounds green with envy. And anyone who has seen Ofra live (as I have) knows that her performances are electrifying. She may hold the Cello oddly, she may close her eyes, throw back her head and seem to be in a different world from the hall she is in; but she is obviously in a world the composer would understand and appreciate, and the audience seems to go with her into that higher emotional state. Isn't that what great music is about?



This complete Vivaldi gives us one intrepreter's take on the works in depth. Her intrepretation brings Vivaldi alive for me. That is all I care about.

Patrick Cunningham (not afraid to sign my name)"