Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Robert Schumann, Arnold Schoenberg :: Violin Fantasies

SPLENDID SOLO & DUO "FANTASY" PERFORMANCES !

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 01/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five WONDERFUL Stars!! These four invigorating classical "fantasy" compositions are brilliantly performed by the wonderful violin virtuoso Jennifer Koh in solo, and with Reiko Uchida's amazing virtuoso pianism as a truly 'Dynamic Duo'. Since there is an entire world of "fantasy" compositions to choose from, the choices Ms Koh made are very interesting indeed. The Schumann, Schoenberg, and Schubert fantasies are adroitly performed by the duo and the Coleman fantasy is a marvelous solo performance by Ms Koh. And there is an interesting development when comparing the Coleman and Schoenberg fantasies.



Robert Schumann's "Fantasie in C Major for Violin and Piano, Op 131" had to survive the scrutiny of Schumann's widow and protege' Brahms who were culling out unworthy pieces following his death. Thankfully it did and in this superb performance, we find Ms Koh spinning off an elegant 14-note theme that is wonderfully recapitulated and recast over shifting time signatures with Ms Uchida. This is 15 minutes of pure joy and beauty, as the two performers solo and support each other in a splendid, nuanced manner.



Next, Franz Schubert's "Fantasie in C major for Violin and Piano, D.934" is a marvelous piece of writing and is given a great performance. The mid-portion around 11 minutes beginning at Ms Koh's arco then pizzacato section behind Ms Uchida is fiery and wonderful as they trade leads for the next few minutes leading to the violin soliloquy: MARVELOUS ! During the debut performance in 1828 some of the audience, for whatever reason, left the concert area early. I think Ms Koh and Ms Uchida would have kept that impatient audience nailed to their seats in 1828 with this superlative performance.



The adventuresome Ms Koh gives Ornette Coleman's "Trinity", Fantasy for Solo Violin, a bravura multi-part reading which is surprisingly very lyrical and smooth, almost autumn-like in character. Mr Coleman, the legendary reed, trumpet, and violin "Free Jazz" and classical composer (remember his monumental "Skies of America" with the London Symphony Orchestra?) must be proud of Ms Koh's wonderfully free but disciplined exploration of his work; possibly the best to date. When they met, Mr Coleman's advice to her was "never get tied down by the notes", and she uses that as major musical advice to SOAR pristenely in this beautiful performance.



Arnold Schoenberg's "Phantasy", oddly enough, has the very qualities that one would have expected from the Ornette Coleman piece with it's artful separation between the piano and violin with lots of bombast, sudden single and double stops, and interesting dissonances. All of which, in the end, finally add up to pure Schoenberg 'serialism' and angular beauty. A SENSATIONAL performance.



These two award-winning young ladies are rising virtuosi in the classical world who have shown they can handle difficult compositions with aplomb. Individually, Ms Koh is phenomenal and was recently called "a fearless soloist" by the New York Times, and Ms Uchida has technique and firepower that simply amazes. Together, they are a Dynamic Duo who wowed audiences across America in 2006. Truly enjoyable!! Bravo, ladies! My Highest Recommendation. Five BEAUTIFUL Stars!!!



(Notes:

*this review is based on an ITunes digital download.

*Ms Koh "lost two friends in close succession", prior to this recording and it is dedicated to them "and to the celebration of life" itself. A wonderful sentiment.

* Ms Koh plays the 1727 Ex Grumiaux Ex General DuPont Stradivarius violin.)"

Perfect! Superb!

D. Kwon | USA | 04/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reason why I bought this CD was Schubert's Violin Fantasy. In my opinion, not that many great (or should I say "big-name") violinists are not recording Schubert's Violin Fantasy because it is dreadfully long. As a violinist, I understand this problem since Schubert's Violin Fantasy is not everyone's typical violin piece that would captivate audiences with violinist's virtuosity. In fact, this piece does not allow violinists to show off their skills. This is conflicting since we live in this world where the violinists are expected to be virtuosic/ostentatious/splashy.

However, this Violin Fantasy is different, and I think this is one of the reasons why I love listening to Schubert's works. His works are controlled and not too extravagant (though somewhat repetitive at times).

To simply put, I think my 24 minutes are well spent whenever I listen to Jennifer Koh's recording of Schubert's Violin Fantasy. She plays it flawlessly. I think she played this piece exactly in a way Schubert would have originally intended. Ms. Koh does not rush: she takes her time and tries to fully appreciate this piece while maintaining synchronization with her pianist, Reiko Uchida. As a result, I can take great pleasure in listening to this great album."