Sibelius's solitary concerto is one of the most passionate tests for the violin virtuoso, one to which Maxim Vengerov is more than equal. He captures the work's passion and its occasional quirky patches of the spookily s... more »ublime. His performances of the "Sarabande" from the Bach Second Partita and the "Ballade" from Ysaye's Third Sonata are admirable encores demonstrating his range and his elegant control. Daniel Barenboim's piano performance of the de Falla Nights in the Gardens of Spain is equally virtuosic, bringing out the work's structure as well as its local color. Placido Domingo's conducting is solid and serviceable. Barenboim ends the concert with three de Falla orchestral showstoppers--the "Farruca" from The Three-Cornered Hat and the "Magic Circle" and "Ritual Fire Dance" from Love the Magician. The Chicago Symphony perform throughout with their usual vigor and fine orchestral color, but are particularly remarkable in these three encores. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk« less
Lots of violin from one member of the orchestra. The quality increases after they got past the violin that stole 3/4th of the show! Not too impressed. Spend your time elsewhere.
Movie Reviews
Brilliant!
H. Peng | CA United States | 08/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Vengerov is simply brilliant! The encores are quite some treat, too, esp. the Bach. As a natural benefit of a DVD, one can see a lot more in detail than in a live concert. Both the sound and image are excellent. Don't hesitate to buy it if you are a devotee of virtuosic violin playing."
Excellent
Robert Farrah | DeKalb, Il United States | 02/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I put this Vengerov Sibelius in the same class as Gould's Goldberg Variations (DVD): it is more than a performance, it is a study. I have now watched it a good 50 times, and nothing in the experience has become jaded or spoiled by this familiarity, In fact, if anything, my respect for it (the Concerto) and the performance has matured. The Bach & Ysaye encore is a bonus! As for the De Falla - is this not an odd coupling? Perhaps, a Sibelius symphony would have been more desirable (we must have continuity in our concert programs/DVDs, people). Regardless, buy this DVD - and live forever!"
Maxim Vengerov is great to watch!
ArtHarrison | CA United States | 07/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Vengerov is such a charismatic performer and I wish he would record on DVD every time he recorded, because he is so wonderful to watch. It's so great to see a musician become so deeply absorbed in the music, and to be able to express his love for the music in his face and his body without any inhibition. He brings so much beauty out of the Sibelius concerto, and his Ysaye encore is astonishing. The music of Manuel de Falla that follows is very lush and beautiful. The Chigago Symphony orchestra sounds great and Barrenboim's piano solos are done with a very nice latin florish."
Sibelius as Sibelius would have wanted it
Violin Fan | Brooklyn, NY | 05/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sibelius was a failed virtuoso violinist. He poured his love for the violin into this concerto, which is full of difficulties beyond his own ability as a performer. It is a virtuoso concerto in the Romantic tradition, and in Vengerov it has found the ideal interpreter. Whether or not you find the visuals off-putting is a matter of personal taste (I don't mind them, while I can't stand Joshua Bell's affectations). For me what makes this an outstanding performance is Vengerov's uncanny ability to play the music like he owns it, like he means every single note in every single phrase, and thereby honoring Sibelius's idea of what a violin can do better than Sibelius himself could manage. Personal taste aside, that's *compelling*.
AND... as if that weren't enough, he throws in not one but two encores, Bach's Sarabande and Ysaye's Ballade, that he plays with just as much gusto. Difficulties melt away and the music just comes across, raw and full of power. I admit I'm biased--I think Vengerov is the most dynamic young player alive--but really, if you're a violinist or a fan of violin music, you owe it to yourself to see it and then make up your own mind."
Incredible!!
David Hrivnak | Toronto | 10/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a classical music fan for many years but this was my first classical DVD and I have to say that I was very impressed. The Sibelius concerto is one of my favourites and Maxim Vengerov is amazing - he has matured into an astounding artist (I think he's only 25!) But wait! there's more... The piece by Ysaye which he plays as an encore in my opinion makes this DVD worthwhile in itself. Ysaye composed some of the most challenging and stunning violin pieces and Vengerov playing this one will give you goosebumps.. :)"