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Editor's picks

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  French Violin Sonatas

  Music (Sony)
  

  Rating (5 reviews):

  (4.6/5)

  

  Fiery, sharp, delicate and bold, yet sophisticated

  In this new disc, Midori shows an edgier side of her without losing her usual balancing act. She sounds miraculous throughout, especially in Poulenc. In Poulenc, sounding so fiery but also very calm at the same time, Midori effectively brings out dichotomizing qualities of the work in a razor sharp performance. Each very fine detail is delicately yet boldly realized with subtle shading of color with such a broad palette, but she never misses the whole view of the music. The contrast between the introverted side and the extroverted side is so beautifully rendered in great depth that the impression of the music would last for a very long time. Midori's Debussy sounds very very sharp and aggressive (in an extra refined manner as always). But I have to say that such conviction also sounds very imposing, and it lost spontaneity and fantasy from the piece. It felt like as if I were enjoying a very modern art piece in a minimal space... meaning lack of an organic quality; She... 5/5 A Classical Fan "a_new_yorker" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: French Violin Sonatas (Audio CD) In this new disc, Midori shows an edgier side of her without losing her usual balancing act. She sounds miraculous throughout, especially in Poulenc. In Poulenc, sounding so fiery but also very calm at the same time, Midori effectively brings out dichotomizing qualities of the work in a razor sharp performance. Each very fine detail is delicately yet boldly realized with subtle shading of color with such a broad palette, but she never misses the whole view of the music. The contrast between the introverted side and the extroverted side is so beautifully rendered in great depth that the impression of the music would last for a very long time. Midori's Debussy sounds very very sharp and aggressive (in an extra refined manner as always). But I have to say that such conviction also sounds very imposing, and it lost spontaneity and fantasy from the piece. It felt like as if I were enjoying a very modern art piece in a minimal space... meaning lack of an organic quality; She... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , October 31, 2002

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  Interesting CD

  Midori can always be counted on for great recordings, and this is no exception. After hearing probably 20 different people play the Debussy sonata, I'd probably say that this is my second-favorite recording (the first is a live one with Oistrakh and Frida Bauer from the 1960s.) The reviewer below mentioned Kyung-Wha Chung and Radu Lupu as their favorite...well, it's not bad but to quote one of my colleagues, "Chung is way too angular for Debussy." Anyhow, back to this disc.... The Saint-Saens sonata is the highlight. When I first heard this, I had a hard time forgetting the Heifetz/Brooks Smith discing that is just fricking amazing. But after listening to it a few times, I think I like Midori's equally well. Heifetz often played slow movements too fast, and fast movements too fast. Midori's tempos, for just about everything, are much more sensible. In the second movement, she plays the sixteenths in separate bows, which makes it far more interesting. The last movement is... 4/5 teva_man "teva_man" (United States) - See all my reviews, May 10, 2007

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  Impressive Poulenc... 4 1/2 stars

  Francis Poulenc wrote three violin sonatas and threw out the first two. We already know that this sonata was dedicated to the emotional violinist Ginette Neveu and that it was written between 1942-1943, think long and hard about the feelings of a French impressionist composer trying to compose while a war is going on for a soloist who plays with unbelievable beauty. Of course the result is a moody yet beautiful composition worthy of attention.There are few recordings of this work, of the ones I have heard include Grumiaux, Menuhin, Van Keulen, Suk (grandson of the composer), and Kang. I actually like the Grumiaux recording the best but it is only available in Japan and I liked this recording almost as much. Midori has a very colorful violin tone, a lush vibrato, and a sense of romance in her playing. I remembered thinking of how her Paganini Caprices recording was so colorful and romantic sounding. While I believe this is the wrong approach to play Paganini, I did think she had... 4/5 Scott68 (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: French Violin Sonatas (Audio CD) Francis Poulenc wrote three violin sonatas and threw out the first two. We already know that this sonata was dedicated to the emotional violinist Ginette Neveu and that it was written between 1942-1943, think long and hard about the feelings of a French impressionist composer trying to compose while a war is going on for a soloist who plays with unbelievable beauty. Of course the result is a moody yet beautiful composition worthy of attention.There are few recordings of this work, of the ones I have heard include Grumiaux, Menuhin, Van Keulen, Suk (grandson of the composer), and Kang. I actually like the Grumiaux recording the best but it is only available in Japan and I liked this recording almost as much. Midori has a very colorful violin tone, a lush vibrato, and a sense of romance in her playing. I remembered thinking of how her Paganini Caprices recording was so colorful and romantic sounding. While I believe this is the wrong approach to play Paganini, I did think she had... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 19, 2002

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  List Price: $8.99
  

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  The French Violin School: Viotti, Rode, Kreutzer, Baillot and Their Contemporaries

  Book (The Lyre of Orpheus Press)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (2.0/5)

  

  Not Accurate

  I read the book as I was working on my final paper for a performance practice class at Eastman. My topic had to do with Kreutzer and a review of his violin etudes.For me, the book lost its credibility the moment it gave the wrong date of birth for Kreutzer. It is true that some believe it to be November 15 (Hardy), while most consider it November 16 (date engraved also on Kreutzer's tombstone), but this book lists it as November 11. This is a book one would use for research, not a book to read for pure entertainment. As such, I would look for accurate information elsewhere. 2/5 adineli "adineli" - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The French Violin School: Viotti, Rode, Kreutzer, Baillot and Their Contemporaries (Paperback) I read the book as I was working on my final paper for a performance practice class at Eastman. My topic had to do with Kreutzer and a review of his violin etudes.For me, the book lost its credibility the moment it gave the wrong date of birth for Kreutzer. It is true that some believe it to be November 15 (Hardy), while most consider it November 16 (date engraved also on Kreutzer's tombstone), but this book lists it as November 11. This is a book one would use for research, not a book to read for pure entertainment. As such, I would look for accurate information elsewhere. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 19, 2011

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  List Price: $12.95
  

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  Knowtes Holographic fingering Chart for Violin (English, Spanish, French, Italian and German Edition)

  Book (Simply Violin)
  

  Rating (2 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  Perfect learning tool for violin

  This holographic chart makes note reading a breeze for violin in first position. My students love it! Whenever they come across a note that they aren't sure of, they look at this chart and can figure out how to play the note. The design is genius. 5/5 S. Graves "SG" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews, December 11, 2011

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  What a unique product for violin students!

  This chart is so helpful for my students to see both names of notes and notes on the staff in one glance. Although difficult to see the full advantage in a thumbnail, in real life it is amazing how a printer could produce such a dual functioning chart, both charts readable simply by tipping the page slightly right for one chart or left for the other (note letter, note on staff, back & forth). It is built with a heavy gauge plastic coating that will be nearly indestructible I would think, and it is prepunched for a notebook. Very clever indeed. . 5/5 Susan Giannantonio (Houston, Tx) - See all my reviews, December 31, 2011

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  List Price: $9.95
  Price: $8.95
  You Save: $1.00 (10%)

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  French Impressions

  Music (SONY MASTERWORKS)
  

  Rating (8 reviews):

  (4.4/5)

  

  Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk: A Lasting Collaboration

  Both Joshua Bell, violin, and Jeremy Denk, piano, are enjoying brilliant careers in solo recitals and with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world. Their relationship began in 2004 when they first joined mind and hands for making music. Now seven years later they continue to perform together whenever their busy careers allow. This recording captures three of heir favorite and most frequently performed works. All three are from the French Impressionists (actually Cesar Franck is from Belgium, but spent most of his creative live in France): Camille Saint-Saëns Sonata No. 1, Cesar Franck Violin Sonata in A Major, and Maurice Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano.To say that the beauty of their sound is the epitome of violin and piano music making is redundant. The degree of interplay and communication gives evidence of the innate musicality of both these young men is mysteriously in sync, even more so than knowing that they have performed together for so many... 5/5 Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews, January 10, 2012

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  JOSHUA BELL & JEREMY DENK: A WONDERFUL DUO PLAYS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC BY BRILLIANT FRENCH COMPOSERS

  Five IMPRESSIONISTIC Stars!! Classical virtuosos Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk are a superbly-paired and dynamic duo! Seven years into their musical association, this formidable duo has decided to do a grouping of pieces they have played many times in concert. These represent some of the most "profound statements" of the chosen French composers. While the more familiar and challenging César Franck Violin Sonata in A Major (especially the intense Allegretto poco mosso movement) and the well known Maurice Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano (especially the full-tilt Perpetuum Mobile: Allegro movement) receive glorious performances by Mr. Bell and Dr. Denk, the 'best of the best' is the less familiar Camille Saint-Saëns Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D Minor, Opus 75: a piece the duo has played "50 times or more" and the familiarity, understanding, and matched duo nuances are clearly on demonstration here (especially the thrilling Allegro Agitato, the Adagio, and perhaps best of... 5/5 RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews, January 10, 2012

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  A very fine recording

  After getting it yesterday afternoon, I have listened to this CD for 4 times. It's just so beautiful and intriguing that I simply can't stop listening to it. I'm totally in love with Joshua Bell's violin sound. I didn't used to care for violin music until I heard his playing. The smooth, silvery sound is incredible, and his beautiful lyrical tone makes everything he plays seem special.Every piece in this collection is executed with absolute precision, but the sound is never clinical. The warm singing tone of Bell's Strad and the clear resonant melody from Denk's Steinway complement each other nicely. I especially like their rendition of Ravel's Sonata. From the transparent, airy opening movement, to the lovely bluesy central movement, and then to the energetic final movement, they offered a truly ear-catching performance. The Saint-Saens and Franck are also delivered excellently, with much grace and refinement. As Denk's well written liner notes pointed out, this music is... 5/5 congwen - See all my reviews This review is from: French Impressions (Audio CD) After getting it yesterday afternoon, I have listened to this CD for 4 times. It's just so beautiful and intriguing that I simply can't stop listening to it. I'm totally in love with Joshua Bell's violin sound. I didn't used to care for violin music until I heard his playing. The smooth, silvery sound is incredible, and his beautiful lyrical tone makes everything he plays seem special.Every piece in this collection is executed with absolute precision, but the sound is never clinical. The warm singing tone of Bell's Strad and the clear resonant melody from Denk's Steinway complement each other nicely. I especially like their rendition of Ravel's Sonata. From the transparent, airy opening movement, to the lovely bluesy central movement, and then to the energetic final movement, they offered a truly ear-catching performance. The Saint-Saens and Franck are also delivered excellently, with much grace and refinement. As Denk's well written liner notes pointed out, this music is... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 7, 2012

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  List Price: $11.96
  

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• French Sonatas for Violin & Piano.(Sound recording review): An article from: Notes

  Book (Music Library Association, Inc.)
  List Price: $9.95
  

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• The French Violin School: from Viotti to Beriot.: An article from: Notes

  Book (Music Library Association, Inc.)
  List Price: $5.95
  

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  The Art of the Violin

  Book (Northwestern University Press)
  

  Rating (3 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  Encyclopedic but with loads of stuff to play.

  As an adult beginner, "The Art" gives me everything I need to complement my lessons - answers to basic questions of theory and technique, progressive exercises, technical principles illustrated by hundreds of phrases from the masters. And scales, scales, scales. Especially nice are the complete two-part scales of Cherubini. 5/5 anon - See all my reviews This review is from: The Art of the Violin (Paperback) This is one of the great string-playing books. Please buy it and read it---you will not be disappointed. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , October 15, 1998

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  Very good book,

  Not a lot of explanations but lots and lots of exercises I am a violin teacher and I sugest the book to all my students... but most things in the book still need explanations, Very good exercise book if nothing else. Fingering has changed from the time the book was originaly written, but still a very usefull book if you would like to use the fingering and style that players in Beethoven's time used. I sugest the book to all beginners and advanced players. 5/5 0, April 16, 1999

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  Must-buy for string players not least for the bowingchapter

  This is one of the great string-playing books. Please buy it and read it---you will not be disappointed. 5/5 0, February 10, 1998

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  List Price: $41.00
  

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  Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise'

  Music (Channel Classics)
  

  Rating (2 reviews):

  (3.5/5)

  

  World Premiere Horn Concerto! Probably the Best Version of the Violin Concerto

  Penderecki is my favorite living composer. This CD feature two concertos. There is the older Violin Concerto from 1977 and a Horn Concerto from 2008. Both works are conducted by the composer and played with the Sinfonietta Cracovia which is a smaller yet top notch orchestra.Robert Kabara is the soloist in the Violin Concerto (No.1). He plays with passion and makes the most out of what is a dark marathon work lasting 40 plus minutes. Penderecki is not at his most inventive with this concerto. It is a work which requires a lot of finesse and concentration in order to squeeze the most out of it's endless hills and flat valleys. This is achieved! Like some restored Technicolor picture of the past this work is given it's all by Kabara, the orchestra, and Penderecki who is on the podium.The Horn Concerto is from a different era with Randovan Vlatkovic at the horn. Even though this is 31 years in the future from the Violin Concerto we can hear how Penderecki... 5/5 Dmitri (Florida - Paradise) - See all my reviews This review is from: Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise' (Audio CD) Penderecki is my favorite living composer. This CD feature two concertos. There is the older Violin Concerto from 1977 and a Horn Concerto from 2008. Both works are conducted by the composer and played with the Sinfonietta Cracovia which is a smaller yet top notch orchestra.Robert Kabara is the soloist in the Violin Concerto (No.1). He plays with passion and makes the most out of what is a dark marathon work lasting 40 plus minutes. Penderecki is not at his most inventive with this concerto. It is a work which requires a lot of finesse and concentration in order to squeeze the most out of it's endless hills and flat valleys. This is achieved! Like some restored Technicolor picture of the past this work is given it's all by Kabara, the orchestra, and Penderecki who is on the podium.The Horn Concerto is from a different era with Randovan Vlatkovic at the horn. Even though this is 31 years in the future from the Violin Concerto we can hear how Penderecki... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , October 14, 2010

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  Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise'

  Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise' is a 2010 Channel Classics Records bv recording starring Robert Kabra on violin and Radovan Vlatkovic on the horn. I am not a fan of the modern school of classical music and at times it sounds mostly like noise rather then music. Like someone playing with notes rather then composing. Not recommended. 2/5. 2/5 Bjorn Viberg (European Union) - See all my reviews This review is from: Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise' (Audio CD) Penderecki: Violin Concerto, Horn Concerto 'Winterreise' is a 2010 Channel Classics Records bv recording starring Robert Kabra on violin and Radovan Vlatkovic on the horn. I am not a fan of the modern school of classical music and at times it sounds mostly like noise rather then music. Like someone playing with notes rather then composing. Not recommended. 2/5. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 27, 2012

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  List Price: $21.98
  Price: $15.70
  You Save: $0.04 (%)

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• Fantaisie Brillante on Themes From Gounod's Faust, Op. 20. Arranged By Wolf, Howard K., Editor. For 2+1, 2, 2, 2 - 2, 2, 3, 0, Timpani, Harp, Cello, Strings, Solo Violin. Nieweg Perf Editions. French Polish: Romantic. Score. Composed 1868. 18 Min. (PAGES:68)

  Book (Edwin F. Kalmus)
  

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  Suzuki Violin School Volume 2 Violin Part (Revised Edition) (Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part)

  Book (Alfred Publishing)
  

  Rating (11 reviews):

  (4.1/5)

  

  Book is as Presented

  I don't doubt that the other reviewer may have received the "older" version of this music book. I just received it and it is the revised edition with the "colorful" cover. My experience with Amazon since its inception has been mostly good - if what I had received was not what was presented on the site, I'm sure Amazon would correct the problem. 5/5 J. Burns (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews, September 1, 2009

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  So economical

  In Japan,Dr.Suzuki violin textbook costs 30dollors at least,without CDS,and never have a bargain sale,so,this is economy price.volume2 contents;cholus from Judas Maccabeaus,Musette,Hunters chorus,Long long Ago,Walts,Bouree,The Two Greanadies,Theme from Wiches Dance,Gavotte from Mignon,Gavotte,Mienuet in G,Mienuet,Intervals,New Musical Terms,SourcesIf you can read a score,you don't need a CD.and this is for kids,easy score.And if you cant read a score,to rely upon CD too much is dangerous.it's realy helpful and you wont be able to read a score in the future. 5/5 acocoringa - See all my reviews This review is from: Suzuki Violin School Volume 2 Violin Part (Revised Edition) (Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part) (Paperback) In Japan,Dr.Suzuki violin textbook costs 30dollors at least,without CDS,and never have a bargain sale,so,this is economy price.volume2 contents;cholus from Judas Maccabeaus,Musette,Hunters chorus,Long long Ago,Walts,Bouree,The Two Greanadies,Theme from Wiches Dance,Gavotte from Mignon,Gavotte,Mienuet in G,Mienuet,Intervals,New Musical Terms,SourcesIf you can read a score,you don't need a CD.and this is for kids,easy score.And if you cant read a score,to rely upon CD too much is dangerous.it's realy helpful and you wont be able to read a score in the future. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , February 2, 2012

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  the gold standard for learning violin

  This is still the gold standard for learning to play violin. What more can be said? Listen, Listen, Listen to help you play. CD enclosed. 5/5 Andrea Twain "liberty bell" (Berlin, Germany) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Suzuki Violin School Volume 2 Violin Part (Revised Edition) (Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part) (Paperback) This is still the gold standard for learning to play violin. What more can be said? Listen, Listen, Listen to help you play. CD enclosed. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 3, 2010

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  List Price: $7.95
  

  Book Pages: 36

  Format Book

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