Julia Fischer: Bach Concertos (2009) with Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Ciel_Rouge · February 08, 2009, 05:15:17 PM

As I mentioned in another thread - I LOVE Julia Fischer

Here is her latest Bach album:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Concertos/dp/B001IT74YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1234144909&sr=8-1

The Wiki entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Fischer

And the website:

http://www.juliafischer.com

Let's make a thread to share our views and opinions about her recordings.

Kuhlau · February 10, 2009, 10:51:06 AM

I'm generally very fond of Fischer and her performances, and hearing her new (and first) Decca release earlier today gave me initially a quite favourable impression. Then I made the stupid mistake of switching immediately afterwards to Rachel Podger's readings of the same Bach violin concerti, and I realised (with a saddened heart) what was missing from Fischer's accounts.

For one thing, there's more 'edge' to Podger's playing, more snap and bite to her string tone. Fischer is a victim, it sounds, of slick production by Decca's engineers - an excessive sheen makes her playing very glossy and lovely, but lacking in depth and texture. I'm sure this isn't all the production team's fault; Fischer's very different playing style must also be considered.

For another thing, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields don't seem too concerned about giving us a spellbinding performance - at least, not as much as do the Academy of Ancient Music in the Podger recording. Fischer and her players deliver what amounts to a polite, pleasant listening experience, while Podger, Manze, et al on Harmonia Mundi are altogether more visceral.

FK

Bunny · February 10, 2009, 01:41:29 PM

Quote from: Kuhlau on February 10, 2009, 10:51:06 AM
I'm generally very fond of Fischer and her performances, and hearing her new (and first) Decca release earlier today gave me initially a quite favourable impression. Then I made the stupid mistake of switching immediately afterwards to Rachel Podger's readings of the same Bach violin concerti, and I realised (with a saddened heart) what was missing from Fischer's accounts.

For one thing, there's more 'edge' to Podger's playing, more snap and bite to her string tone. Fischer is a victim, it sounds, of slick production by Decca's engineers - an excessive sheen makes her playing very glossy and lovely, but lacking in depth and texture. I'm sure this isn't all the production team's fault; Fischer's very different playing style must also be considered.

For another thing, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields don't seem too concerned about giving us a spellbinding performance - at least, not as much as do the Academy of Ancient Music in the Podger recording. Fischer and her players deliver what amounts to a polite, pleasant listening experience, while Podger, Manze, et al on Harmonia Mundi are altogether more visceral.

FK

That edge and bite you appreciate in Podger's recording might just be the result of the gut strings without vibrato. It's probably not quite fair to compare Fischer to Podger as they are playing very different instruments. And the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (the ensemble headed by Neville Marriner for so many years) is not a period instrument ensemble either. It would be more apt to compare her recording of the concertos to Akiko Suwanai's recording or Isaac Stern's recording. Both of those are glossy, modern instrument performances too. What can't be denied is Fischer's absolutely perfect intonation and effortless play. Yes, it's glossy, but it's also as strong as silk. What's more, Bach is the type of composer where the music speaks for itself, and anything that displays it well is worthwhile.

Bulldog · February 10, 2009, 02:02:02 PM

Quote from: Bunny on February 10, 2009, 01:41:29 PM
That edge and bite you appreciate in Podger's recording might just be the result of the gut strings without vibrato.

I think it's more than just the instrument. I generally love Fischer's playing, but edge and bite are not her thing.

Kuhlau · February 10, 2009, 02:16:59 PM

Quote from: Bulldog on February 10, 2009, 02:02:02 PM
I generally love Fischer's playing, but edge and bite are not her thing.

Too true. Not that this, in and of itself, is a criticism - it's just how she plays. Listen to her reading of Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto on Pentatone. I'd argue that as well played as it is, she softens it somewhat, taking off its more acerbic edge. But hey, that's just her and it takes nothing away from her talents as a soloist. I'd be more interested, however, to hear her in this Mozart recording - I'm sure she'd be excellent.

FK

Ciel_Rouge · February 10, 2009, 02:35:58 PM

Well, you just compared an emerging talent with a much more experienced violinist who also happens to SPECIALISE in Bach

Anyway, I think it will be interesting to watch Julia Fischer grow over the years to come.

Kuhlau · February 10, 2009, 02:42:07 PM

And I agree with you. Fischer has a very promising future ahead of her. And who knows: maybe one day she'll be as dazzlingly outstanding as Mullova ... or as, er, 'individual' as her soon-to-be-stablemate*, Mutter.

FK

* For those who don't yet know, Decca's classical division with which Fischer quite recently signed will be rolled into DG. I strongly doubt Fischer jumped ship to Decca without knowing that before the press did.

Bulldog · February 10, 2009, 04:17:34 PM

Quote from: Kuhlau on February 10, 2009, 02:16:59 PM
Too true. Not that this, in and of itself, is a criticism - it's just how she plays. Listen to her reading of Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto on Pentatone. I'd argue that as well played as it is, she softens it somewhat, taking off its more acerbic edge. But hey, that's just her and it takes nothing away from her talents as a soloist. I'd be more interested, however, to hear her in this Mozart recording - I'm sure she'd be excellent.

FK

And she certainly is excellent in Mozart. I have the three Mozart discs of hers on Pentatone, and her playing is flat-out gorgeous. When listening, I don't even think about any lack of edge.

Coopmv · February 11, 2009, 07:01:37 PM

So has anyone listened to the full CD yet?

I just ordered it ...

Coopmv · February 11, 2009, 07:08:38 PM

Quote from: Kuhlau on February 10, 2009, 02:42:07 PM

* For those who don't yet know, Decca's classical division with which Fischer quite recently signed will be rolled into DG. I strongly doubt Fischer jumped ship to Decca without knowing that before the press did.

I wonder whether there will be any hard feelings in the UK about an English company (Decca) being rolled into a German company (DG), formerly a division of Siemens before it became a division of Polygram. I am just speaking from an American Perspective ...

Kuhlau · February 11, 2009, 10:33:09 PM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 11, 2009, 07:01:37 PM
So has anyone listened to the full CD yet?

I have.

Quote from: Coopmv on February 11, 2009, 07:08:38 PM
I wonder whether there will be any hard feelings in the UK about an English company (Decca) being rolled into a German company (DG), formerly a division of Siemens before it became a division of Polygram.

I doubt it. We'd be more pissed if our national football team was managed by a German ... ;

FK

Coopmv · February 12, 2009, 05:24:51 PM

Quote from: Kuhlau on February 11, 2009, 10:33:09 PM
I have.

I doubt it. We'd be more pissed if our national football team was managed by a German ... ;

FK

Wasn't the English team recently managed by a Swede? Besides, England probably has not beaten Germany since the early 70's ...

Lethevich · February 12, 2009, 05:34:22 PM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 12, 2009, 05:24:51 PM
Besides, England probably has not beaten Germany since the early 70's ...

At least one has been documented in audio form

http://www.youtube.com/v/fZWE4thApfE

hornteacher · February 12, 2009, 07:29:49 PM

One of my favorite Julia Fischer products is her Vivaldi Seasons DVD. Aside from the performance of the music, which is marvelous, the DVD is a total visual eye treat with gorgeous location scenery setting the mood for each season mixed with images of the musicians in natural locations. Its beautiful.

Her Tchaikovsky CD is a favorite of mine too (at least until Hilary releases her recording)

Coopmv · February 12, 2009, 07:32:32 PM

Quote from: hornteacher on February 12, 2009, 07:29:49 PM
One of my favorite Julia Fischer products is her Vivaldi Seasons DVD. Aside from the performance of the music, which is marvelous, the DVD is a total visual eye treat with gorgeous location scenery setting the mood for each season mixed with images of the musicians in natural locations. Its beautiful.

Her Tchaikovsky CD is a favorite of mine too (at least until Hilary releases her recording)

Was that Julia Fischer's DVD recorded with the Academy of St Martin?

Bulldog · February 13, 2009, 05:48:55 AM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 12, 2009, 07:32:32 PM
Was that Julia Fischer's DVD recorded with the Academy of St Martin?

Yes, but I think this DVD has been discontinued.

Coopmv · February 13, 2009, 04:58:19 PM

Quote from: Bulldog on February 13, 2009, 05:48:55 AM
Yes, but I think this DVD has been discontinued.

What a bummer!

Bulldog · February 13, 2009, 06:14:49 PM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 13, 2009, 04:58:19 PM
What a bummer!

Well, an Amazon seller has it available for $19.99, and the seller has a 98% favorable rating.

The new erato · February 13, 2009, 11:28:49 PM

I love Fischers Pentatone discs. Just wish she would be as daring in repertoire as the two Isabelles (Keuelen and Faust); Petterson 2, Jolivet, Martinu, Schumann sonatas, are but a few of the discs that have made me eternally grateful to them. There's a limit to how much Tchaikovski and Brahms we need on disc, however wonderfully done.

Wanderer · February 13, 2009, 11:34:04 PM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 11, 2009, 07:01:37 PM
I just ordered it ...

Me too. It should arrive in a week. Online samples are very appetizing.