Your favorite modern violinist

[K123]

Hi there,

 

This is probably a topic which has been discussed to death, but maybe some would still find it interesting.

 

Who is your favorite modern (still living and playing) violinist, and why?

 

Personally I love the way Joshua Bell plays. He is the only top violinist Ive seen live, and what an amazing performance it was. This was back in 2012 when he came to South-Africa. He performed the 4 Seasons, and the Bach Double violin concerto with a player here. Ive read that many people don't at all care for his interpretations of pieces, but I really enjoy listening to him.

 

Another violinist I really like is Katica Illenyi. She is probably not as well known as the other popular violinists, but her control over the bow and vibrato is excellent! Here is a clip which is just beautiful.

the way she plays the Czardas in another video is also astounding.

 

Ofcourse there are many more I could mention, like Anne Akiko Meyers, Hilary Hahn, Maxim Vengerov, Itzhak Perlman, the list goes on and on.

 

So who is your favorite, and why?

 

 

 

 

[Rue]

I'll put in a vote for Lara St. John  .

[AtlVcl]

I'll put in a vote for Lara St. John  .

I'll put in a vote for Lara St. John's nudie CD covers...

[Yucca]

Anne Sophie Mutter, my choice.

[gowan]

James Ehnes, Leonidas Kavakos, Gil Shaham, Hilary Hahn, Jennifer Ko

[crazy jane]

Many of the current crop seem almost indistinguishable to me--great technique, great sound, "correct" (boring) interpretation.

 

I have a certain fondness for Gidon Kremer, a great player who is unafraid of doing familiar things in fresh ways or breaking entirely new ground. (Likewise, Anne Sophie Mutter--though I can't even listen to her recent recording of the Beethoven Sonatas--quirky to the max). Also of the old guard, Pinchas Zukerman.

 

Kavakos is a very thoughtful performer--his Brahms v.c. live was rich and moving, and his recording of the Ysaye sonatas is spell-binding. 

 

I was VERY impressed by Augustin Hadelich's live performance this past summer of the Stravinsky Concerto! It was the first time I had seen him perform. In addition to a gorgeous tone and flawless technique, his phrasings are intelligent yet warm and lyrical--and uniquely his own. 

[Guest]

Jimmy Mattingly and Gary Lee Moore.., Stuart Duncan, Bruce Molsky...oh wait violinist...hmmm...I guess

Hilary Hahn...

[Lusitano]

Viktoria Mullova because she is not limited to only being a great virtuosi but also strives to be and is an exceptional human being. Very very inspirational, to me at least.

PS-  I hate how easy she makes Paganini look like "easy" and I seriously wish I had her hands. Her playing is absolutely effortless

[DR. S]

There is no shortage of greats but Joshua Bell holds the throne. His playing is always the one that consistantly get's my attention.

[DR. S]

 

Another violinist I really like is Katica Illenyi. She is probably not as well known as the other popular violinists, but her control over the bow and vibrato is excellent! Here is a clip which is just beautiful.

 

Hey, she sings jazz too! I like her!

[T Ford]

Hilary Hahn, Vadim Repin, Roman Kim, Jasper Wood (his playing of the Mendelssohn concerto was the best playing I've ever seen live). I greatly enjoy Chuanyun Li's playing, refreshing to see someone 'break the mold', and successfully in my eyes. I do greatly enjoy some of Perlman's playing. Though any definition is arbitrary, I almost wouldn't consider him a 'modern' violinist, even though he is alive. 

 

I've seen Hilary play, but I would really like to track down a concert of Kim, Repin or Li. 

[Violadamore]

Why, myself of course

 

More seriously, this is a difficult question because styles and favored repertoire differ, and "even a blind hog finds a few acorns".  I enjoy listening to/watching a variety of artists.

 

Overall, for sheer entertainment pleasure, Katica, because she does it all well.

 

 

For classical, Nadja

 

 

For "trad", members of String Sisters, individually or together

 

[zefir68]

Janine Jansen, Lisa Batiashvilli, Kavakos

[Fiddler45]

Ernie, do you know Gary Lee personally? I have had a few fun jam sessions with him.

[Hank Schutz]

In the baroque arena, I find Rachel Barton Pine's playing hard to match.  Her ornamentations are quite beautiful, and she plays with verve and style.

HS

[Rue]

I'm going to add Ida Haendel to my list...did you know she has a new album coming out?  How cool is that?

 

Angele Dubeau is another favourite of mine...but I rarely see anyone else mention her.  Maybe she's too local?

[Guest]

Fiddler 45...I know Gary Lee Moore and see him at least once a year in Weiser. He is one very fine fiddler. Where are from?

I really miss the Fiddle pull in Winthrop where Gary was the emcee...what a gas!

[Fiddler45]

I am from Minnesota. Used to go to weiser every year, but haven't been since 2005. My wife and I were asked to judge this year but we couldn't make it.

[Guest]

Too Bad...Gary won the senior division this year...hmmm...you have me wondering...I'll try and figure out who you are. My wife and I both have family in Weiser. My sister-in-law Wendy was the photographer there for many years. Things have really changed in the last 10 years but I still enjoy going. Maybe I'll catch you there sometime.

 

Enough fiddle talk...since this is a classical players thread...

 

-Later

[palousian]

Enough fiddle talk...since this is a classical players thread...

 

Too bad, since I was going to nominate Kevin Burke.  Not a lot of fireworks, I suppose, but what a fabulous voice on the instrument...

[ramptester]

Hillary Hahn plays with a big, unhurried, beautiful tone. I had the unique perspective of seeing her perform at Encore when she was 10 years old. Played the Devil's trill and other difficult pieces flawlessly then. More grown up now. I can't stand to watch guitar gods Bell and Vengerov play, although they do sound great. Too much stage affectations for my taste.

[Terrini]

Hillary Hahn plays with a big, unhurried, beautiful tone. I had the unique perspective of seeing her perform at Encore when she was 10 years old. Played the Devil's trill and other difficult pieces flawlessly then. More grown up now. I can't stand to watch guitar gods Bell and Vengerov play, although they do sound great. Too much stage affectations for my taste.

Guitar God ?  Because J.Bell played on the Gibson ?

[mmmm]

Julia Fischer (her Paganini Caprices and solo Bach are amazing...), Janine Jansen (a great chamber music player too, check out her leading the breathtaking Enescu Octet: 

)

[DR. S]

I am a big fan of Julia Fischer and manyh others, but still, Bell is the king if you look at the body of work. Which in no way detracts from any of the others, there are loads of great violinists out there now that I woudlsell my soul to be able to play as well as.

[Rue]

...is it just me...or is that an unfortunate wardrobe choice for a seated performance?