nickia Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 Who is the best violinist now? I want to go to one of his/her concert if I have a chance so I can make a similar claim as :" I've been to a Heifetz's concert 40 years ago and it was a blast!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 It depends on whom you are going to ask and there is no guaranty that you would like to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgeezer Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 A reason to hear some of the older greats who are still active is that they will be retired or gone soon enough. I wouldn't pass up a chance to hear any of them live if they are playing reasonably close by. The younger ones will be around a lot longer than I will. That's a reason for me to want to hear them live. Take any chance you get to hear a well known soloist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 There are SO many talented young people out there - technically, I'm amazed that it is posible to do what they do. But I have to nominate Vengerov - he has the "chops," but he seems to have the heart, too. But that is just me. He amazes me. (Of course Sophia and Hillary, and that young woman who peeks out from behind her violin, probably appeal to the guys more!) Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thom Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 I predict that this question will get at least one vote for each of the prominent violinists playing today. I personally prefer Shaham, but I am not sure he will be the next Heifetz, whatever that means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesRist Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 I wonder if it's Salvatore Accardo. He just amazes me and seems to have a huge Discography already. But yes, whenever I hear Hillary Hahn on the radio I am just stunned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgeezer Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Then you gotta go hear the fiddle goddess in person. She's on the road a lot so keep an eye on her schedule. I've heard her live and she's amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matzstudio Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 quote: Originally posted by: nickia Who is the best violinist now? silly question. it´s me of course!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fine Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 I guess the problem with this question is that it seems to assume that Heifetz was "just" the best violinist of his day. Heifetz was, like Paganini, a dramatic change in technique and performance practice. He was more than the best violinist alive, he was a step forward in artistry. And by forward, I mean, chronologically. It is my personal belief that violin playing is now better for his influence, but I'm sure someone could create a very convincing argument against my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argon55 Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 It seems that you're more interested in impressing somebody in the future than deciding yourself who you think is the best violinist is at the moment. I'd suggest you spend some time listening to current virtuosi to reach your own opinions. For without well-founded knowledge and opinions, that person in the future you are trying to impress will probably find you out as rather shallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matzstudio Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 agreed, argon. what´s the point of having attended a Heifetz concert? having attended a Heifetz concert, and having enjoyed the magic, but not showing off with "i´ve seen a famous virtuoso" - so what?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Nielsen Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hahn of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Nielsen Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Go see Hilary Hahn play the Paganini if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banzai Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hilary. Hahn. Though I see I'm a bit late to the fight on this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erika Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 The "best" violinist probably depends on your gender. I've noticed that Hahn's audiences are weighted toward men, and Bell's audiences are disproportionately female... If you can only afford to go see a few performers live, I second oldgeezer's suggestion to go see the established greats who have limited performing schedules anymore: Zukerman, Perlman, Starker (not a violinist, but he's terrific and won't live forever), etc. If money's no object, see everyone and decide for yourself who the "greats" are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Lymond, Can you say, specifically, what is was that Heifetz did that none did before him? Was it simply a new level of technical precision? Interpretation? Sound? Stage presence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banzai Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 quote: Originally posted by: Erika The "best" violinist probably depends on your gender. I've noticed that Hahn's audiences are weighted toward men, and Bell's audiences are disproportionately female... Erika, Just because I also happen to be in love with Ms. Hahn doesn't mean I can't also be in complete awe of her amazing technical abilities... Alas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erika Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hey, I've always said that Josh Bell could stand on stage and tune for 25 minutes and I'd still go. While we're on the topic of up-and-coming young artists, let me throw in a plug for Philippe Quint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fine Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Allan, It was a new level of technical precision, to put it in your terms. Specifically: 1. More consistent intonation at 2. Faster tempi and 3. Heavier bow pressure that forced more transparent technique. And perhaps, now that I'm thinking about all this, the credit should go to Leopold Auer. I mean, Milstein was less audacious than Heifetz, but a no less prodigious technical wizard. How long after Heifetz's debut was Milstein's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fine Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Heifetz: début in Berlin on 23 May 1912 (age 11) The popular story is that Kreisler heard Heifetz play in Berlin and reportedly said "Now we can all break our fiddles across our knees." Milstein: début in Odessa in 1920 (age 16) Two additional points: 4. Heifetz's use of constant brilliant vibrato was also an important uniqueness. 5. Milstein did not use the heavy bow pressure of Heifetz, but I feel his technique is completely transparent and the only weakness this might have brought him is I don't think his tone could carry as far as Heifetz's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Nedregard Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well, I admit that Miss Hahn is amazing in every way, but since she's hardly out of fans, I'd rather put in a word for Nikolaj Znaider from Denmark, I heard him here a few weeks ago and that was something to remember indeed. I think there are many extremely good violinists, but few of them have the taste it takes to be more than thecnically convincing. For cellists, I like Truls Mørk and Annerl Bylsma a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S/till T/rying Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I have been under the impression that there might not be anyone who meets some aspects of the standards of the earlier greats. Technicality might go without saying that some sections which in the past were not always performed to perfection, now, it's no great rarity, e.g. the double harmonics of Paganini concerto no 1 last mov. And musicality is sometimes very well worked out and executed (no pun intended, but it might be arguable !!), however real emotional meaning seems to not appear very often anymore, and what is musicality worth if it doesn't grasp the emotions. It can be brilliancy, sad, exulting, heart rending, causing tears, ascetic beauty causing love of g-d, of nature, of people....etc. all these are examples of how musicality should grip emotions, and I feel that today, such expression is short circuited and is not allowed to take place. Or maybe it is actually missing talent today. Great technicality is necessary for this, but I don't think that is what is lacking, it's what is done with it. But, I like this thread and I'm following what people are saying, and it makes me want to hear. I haven't heard too much Hahn, really. Yes, Bell has quite good style, but.......... I don't know, I can't say that anyone is bad. There is also that one who plays Paganini violin concerto for Music Minus One. They seem to hint that he might be as re-incarnation of Paganini. I don't think so, but I can see some qualities. I also wouldn't say that Alexander Markov is all that bad on my new DVD of Paganini caprices (but I hear the feeling better when I'm not watching it on the screen). I also recently got the caprices on cd played by that famous Chinese woman (forgot the name), who is technically flawless, and musically very good, but still falls quite short of what I'm looking for. Older ones come closer to what I like to hear, and on occasion, I'm blown off my feet.But it's a shame that I didn't yet finish my own technique, because I still feel I would know what to do with it (if you understand what I mean!) (sorry about so much mention of Paganini, it's only that that's what I'm giving alot of attention to just recently, but does not change what I'm trying to say). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SundanceJim Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Quoting Erika... "Hey, I've always said that Josh Bell could stand on stage and tune for 25 minutes and I'd still go. While we're on the topic of up-and-coming young artists, let me throw in a plug for Philippe Quint." They're both pretty impressive. Quint is definately one to watch. I'll be seeing him when he's with the Santa Fe Symphony in December. I also just got 2 tickets to see Bell play with the New Mexico Symphony - those two tickets were more expensive than our entire 2007/08 season tickets were! I like Mutter too - but half of that is her style - not necessarily her playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickia Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 the Heifetz claim is purely a joke to get my point across: I want to see some famous names before they decease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fine Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hmm... in that case, I guess it just depends on how much money you want to spend and where you live. I mean, if you live in New York City, I obviously can't tell you to go see everyone who comes to town, but if you live somewhere smaller (like where I grew up), I'd say take every opportunity you can. Chances are, if they're on tour you've got about a 60% chance of seeing a great performance (3 in 5 was always about my luck at least). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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