19th Century Violin Works

Advantages: Oistrakh is perfect in technique, style, and interpretation for 20th century works
Disadvantages: as an older recording, soloist brought out well above orchestra. its oistrakh!

...The Shostakovich violin concertos are already amazing, and oistrakh playing them is perfect. his understanding, style, and technique are perfect for lots of 20th century works such as ysaye, shostakovich, and prokofiev. he uses his mastery of bow control to help bring out the shape and the journey of shostakovich and ysaye's works. i find his interpretations of shostakovich and ysaye the easiest to understand and enjoy in general. it's oistrakh...i don't need to say that much... ysaye's amitie for 2 violins is absolutely incredible. i discovered it recently... it's dramatic and has tuneful romantic moments at times (he was very influenced by romantic music), yet is very heartfelt and sentimental throughout, hence its name which means 'friendship'. it sticks to ysaye's cool modern style of music in its clever use of whole tone... Read review

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Advantages: great for chilling or thinking whilst listening
Disadvantages: disapointing end to a great album

...Damien Rice 'O' is an accoustic based album, using violins and simple drum patterns. It is a very chilled listening experience with a few depressing moments thrown in along the way. It has the feel of a journey to it. 1. Delicate - The opening track is very quiet, as the name suggests, it has a very chilled feel to it, makes me feel sleepy. 2. Volcano - The violins and bass are beautiful in this song, my favourite along with blowers daughter. Really dynamic after the quiet start to the album. 3. The Blower's Daughter - This track makes me feel sad when i listen. Its a love track, i'm guessing based around the 19th century, about a navy generals daughter and her falling in love, makes me reminiss about being younger again. 4. Cannonball - The big single off the album, everyone will have heard this track but it still has a real... Read review

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Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...fast movements. This is more in line with the traditions that Beethoven himself would have been familiar with. The metronome markings from when his deafness prevented him from hearing the music too properly conduct a performance of a work. The 18th and 19th century orchestra was changing during this period. It had come to fruition under such masters as Haydn and Mozart. The elements need to be not just a beautiful sound but a dynamic dialog between the sections. The new Romantic period was just starting. What Sir Roger has tried to do with these recordings is to make Beethoven NEW. We will all be familiar with the usual recordings and performances of the works of Beethoven. But in this set we have a new and vibrant interpretation that is closer to the music that would have been heard if we had have been fortunate to have attended one... Read review

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