Recordings That You Are Considering

[DavidRoss]

Listening to Jansen now on youtube at the Proms a few years ago and I must say she's doing a fine job with the lushly Romantic Mendy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLKXD_Ar5CM

[Daverz]

George - talent is often in one's mind - an intelligent & cute woman is irresistible, at least to me!    Dave

I do worry that there are great soloists that we are not hearing because they are considered too homely for a concert career.

[Coopmv]

I do worry that there are great soloists that we are not hearing because they are considered too homely for a concert career.

Unfortunately, being telegenic is a prequisite for success in any career when public appearance is required.  Performing artists are clearly included in this category ...

[prémont]

Premont - LOL!    I guess that I'm w/ Sarge - a beautiful 'talented' woman can certainly impact on a man's perception! 

I've taught radiology residents for over 30 yrs now - about a third of our residents are women, and I must say sitting next to a pretty female doctor is pleasant; plus, if she has the intelligence of the other residents (always true at my institution), then the attraction is even more appealing! OH, such a pity to be an older man; but OTOH, most of my female residents are already married, and they seem at this point in my life to between children and grandchildren - Dave 

Interesting. I am a physician myself and my area is - radiology. I have no formalised teaching duties, but I often teach my younger collegues so to say pictureside, and many of these collegues are young attractive and intelligent women, so I understand very well your point. But in these situations I have got a direct and personal contact with the woman in question and both of us can react upon that. But on the other hand, when I listen to music, and have not got but a photo of the young beautiful violinist  in the booklet to look at, this is a completely different situation. There is no interaction at all, -  just a superficial appreciation of her beauty, and I find it difficult to relate this to her music making. 

[mahler10th]

Here are a couple of discs I'm considering:
 

Oh my.  How did I miss this Hans Rott post?   
I don't know if you've bought the Hans Rott yet.  It is good, but imo too underplayed.  For a better and more spirited Hans Rott experience I'd go with Dennis Russell Davies and the VRSO on the CPO label. 
Incidentally, the best one I've ever heard [now] is a live version which was recorded at the Brucknerfest, Linz, 2008.  It's DR Davies again, this time with the Bruckner Linz Orchestra.  If it is ever released commercially it would probably be considered better than anything out there at the moment.

Anyone who wants that Rott live concert, let me know and I'll put it up on rapidshare for easy download. 

[SonicMan46]

Interesting. I am a physician myself and my area is - radiology. I have no formalised teaching duties, but I often teach my younger collegues so to say pictureside, and many of these collegues are young attractive and intelligent women, so I understand very well your point. But in these situations I have got a direct and personal contact with the woman in question and both of us can react upon that. But on the other hand, when I listen to music, and have not got but a photo of the young beautiful violinist  in the booklet to look at, this is a completely different situation. There is no interaction at all, -  just a superficial appreciation of her beauty, and I find it difficult to relate this to her music making.

Premont - well, did not know that your were also a radiologist - I've been in academics since 1977 - part of the 'abominal section' @ Wake Forest Univesity Med Ctr (in Winston Salem, NC)'; main sub-specialy is GI (former but now retired colleague, Dave Gelfand) - but bottom line is that I agree, i.e. depend on the reviews in buying a CD, despite the performer and/or sex - Dave 

[Daverz]

Unfortunately, being telegenic is a prequisite for success in any career when public appearance is required.  Performing artists are clearly included in this category ...

Perhaps I should have said "plain" rather than "homely".  There are just too many babe violinists being foist on the public now.  (I wouldn't include Hahn in the "babe" category; I find her rather gawky looking.)

[Brian]

Here's my favorite babe violinist: Katalin Kokas.

(Generally I am irritated by the trend, though.)

(Oh, and the disappointing thing about Katalin Kokas is ... I had to crop out her husband, Barnabas Kelemen.)

[George]

Here's my favorite babe violinist: Katalin Kokas.

(Generally I am irritated by the trend, though.)

On both points, I like your style Brian.

[Coopmv]

Here's my favorite babe violinist: Katalin Kokas.

(Generally I am irritated by the trend, though.)

(Oh, and the disappointing thing about Katalin Kokas is ... I had to crop out her husband, Barnabas Kelemen.)

Brian,

Are you getting this CD set?   

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge

If I told you, that I did not appreciate female beauty I would certainly be a liar. but this is irrelevant in a musical context. Now tell me Sarge, when you listen to a recording made by a beautiful young woman (Janine Jansen a good example), how much does your impression of her physical advantages actually influence your appreciation of her playing?

Her physical appearance does not influence my critical judgment at all. You'll notice my brief two paragraph review didn't say,  Buy because she's a babe! but buy because she, Chailly and the Gewandhaus play the work (all three works really) in a way I find near ideal. I tried to suggest what that ideal is: a less obviously virtuoso display piece and more brooding, Romantic masterpiece akin to Schubert's  A minor Quartet. I've known the Mendelssohn concerto for a long time and I've always had the perfect performance in my head. Of the versions I've heard, Jansen comes closest--not because she's attractive but because I finally hear what's been in my head for forty years. That she's a pleasure to look at is just icing on the cake. If instead a hunchbacked male dwarf had played it this way, it's the version I would have recommended.

I thought about what I would have answered had he asked about other violin concertos. These are my favorites. The list is divided almost equally between male and female musicians (and heavily weighted toward current performers: although I have intense loyalty to past generations of conductors and singers, I have no such loyalty towards violinists). Apparently I have no gender bias when it comes to fiddlers. I'm an equal opportunity listener.

Bach Mutter (I know, I know...so shoot me  )
Mozart Grumiaux
Beethoven Zehetmair
Paganini Accardo
Mendelssohn Jansen
Bruch Jansen
Tchaikovsky Belkin
Brahms Repin
Elgar Kennedy
Sibelius Kavakos (although Batiashvili is coming on strong)
Korngold Schmid
Schoenberg Hahn
Berg Mutter
Walton Chung
Shostakovich Vengerov
Prokofiev Chung

If the additional, and I admit, completely gratuitous picture of Jansen bothered you, I apologize...but hey, sex sells and I wanted my Mendelssohn choice to have a high profile here 

Sarge

[jlaurson]

Apparently I have no gender bias when it comes to fiddlers. I'm an equal opportunity listener:

Bach Mutter (I know, I know...so shoot me  )

...I will take the next best opportunity to do so.

More taste-alignment below:

Mozart Grumiaux. Approved.
Beethoven Zehetmair. Enthusiastically approved. Wait... that wasn't my recommendation, was it?
Paganini Accardo. Does anyone care, with these works?
Mendelssohn Jansen. No disagreement.
Bruch Jansen. Neither here.
Tchaikovsky Belkin. Must look for that... my favorite is probably Repin--but I don't feel very strongly about the good ones, only about the bad ones.
Brahms Repin. Not bad. This is my turn where you get to shoot back: Mutter, Masur & NYPhil, of all people and combinations.
Elgar Kennedy. Either version? In any case, he does own that.
Sibelius Kavakos (although Batiashvili is coming on strong) One of many very fine choices.
Korngold Schmid. Don't know Schmid but love Shaham. (Hate Mutter.)
Schoenberg Hahn. Approved.
Berg Mutter. Approved.
Shostakovich Vengerov. Certainly!
Prokofiev Chung. Approved.

[Sergeant Rock]

...I will take the next best opportunity to do so.

I'll have to wear my bullet-proof vest to Frankfurt 

More taste-alignment below:

Beethoven Zehetmair Enthusiastically approved. Wait... that wasn't my recommendation, was it?

Probably was but I can't recall for sure. Take credit anyway. A brilliant Beethoven recording.

Paganini Accardo. Does anyone care, with these works?

I didn't care, not until I heard Accardo anyway. I find them irresistable when he's playing them...especially the Second.

Tchaikovsky Belkin. Must look for that... my favorite is probably Repin--but I don't feel very strongly about the good ones, only about the bad ones.

Belkin's kind of a dark horse recommendation. I'm not sure anyone here but me has even heard it. I love Ashkenazy's accompaniment. I just acquired Repin. For what it's worth I didn't enjoy it much: I didn't like the sound and didn't find much personality in Gergiev's conducting.

Brahms Repin. Not bad. This is my turn where you get to shoot back: Mutter, Masur & NYPhil, of all people and combinations.

Oh, no, I won't shoot. In fact I've been intrigued by the description of, and controversy surrounding that recording for a long time. Sounds like the kind of extreme interpretation that would appeal to me (and I am a Mutter fanboy) but I have not yet heard it. I'll have to order that one soon.

Elgar Kennedy. Either version? In any case, he does own that.

I only have his first recording with Handley. Do you know both? Do you prefer one or the other?

Sibelius Kavakos (although Batiashvili is coming on strong) One of many very fine choices.

I also like Mullova's icy performance.

Korngold Schmid. Don't know Schmid but love Shaham. (Hate Mutter.)

I hate the coupled Tchaikovsky but the Korngold amuses me. I didn't think it were possible to go over the top in that piece, but she actually does it! You got to admire her chutzpah even if you can't love it 

Sarge

[Coopmv]

Her physical appearance does not influence my critical judgment at all. You'll notice my brief two paragraph review didn't say,  Buy because she's a babe! but buy because she, Chailly and the Gewandhaus play the work (all three works really) in a way I find near ideal. I tried to suggest what that ideal is: a less obviously virtuoso display piece and more brooding, Romantic masterpiece akin to Schubert's  A minor Quartet. I've known the Mendelssohn concerto for a long time and I've always had the perfect performance in my head. Of the versions I've heard, Jansen comes closest--not because she's attractive but because I finally hear what's been in my head for forty years. That she's a pleasure to look at is just icing on the cake. If instead a hunchbacked male dwarf had played it this way, it's the version I would have recommended.

I thought about what I would have answered had he asked about other violin concertos. These are my favorites. The list is divided almost equally between male and female musicians (and heavily weighted toward current performers: although I have intense loyalty to past generations of conductors and singers, I have no such loyalty towards violinists). Apparently I have no gender bias when it comes to fiddlers. I'm an equal opportunity listener.

Bach Mutter (I know, I know...so shoot me  )
Mozart Grumiaux
Beethoven Zehetmair
Paganini Accardo
Mendelssohn Jansen
Bruch Jansen
Tchaikovsky Belkin
Brahms Repin
Elgar Kennedy
Sibelius Kavakos (although Batiashvili is coming on strong)
Korngold Schmid
Schoenberg Hahn
Berg Mutter
Walton Chung
Shostakovich Vengerov
Prokofiev Chung

If the additional, and I admit, completely gratuitous picture of Jansen bothered you, I apologize...but hey, sex sells and I wanted my Mendelssohn choice to have a high profile here 

Sarge

No apology is needed.  We are in the same boat.  I have always enjoyed this recording by a very young Mutter and Salvatore Accardo.  I am not too religious about HIP, though I have more HIP recordings than I care to count ...

[Sergeant Rock]

No apology is needed.  We are in the same boat.  I have always enjoyed this recording by a very young Mutter and Salvatore Accardo.  I am not too religious about HIP, though I have more HIP recordings than I care to count ...

Excellent...another believer! That was actually my very first CD. I like HIP versions too but I love her and Accardo's Romanticized take.

Sarge

[Coopmv]

Excellent...another believer! That was actually my very first CD. I like HIP versions too but I love her and Accardo's Romanticized take.

Sarge

Sarge,

Music is music and it should not be dependent on whether it is played on modern instruments or period instruments.  Mediocre instrumentalists will not create great music even if they play on period instruments.  The likes of Henryk Szeryng, Arthur Grumiaux and Nathan Milstein will remain to be among the greatest violinists who have ever lived, even if they had never gone near a period violin ...

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge,

Music is music and it should not be dependent on whether it is played on modern instruments or period instruments.  Mediocre instrumentalists will not create great music even if they play on period instruments.  The likes of Henryk Szeryng, Arthur Grumiaux and Nathan Milstein will remain to be among the greatest violinists who have ever lived, even if they had never gone near a period violin ...

Amen, brother.

Sarge

[mc ukrneal]

Amen, brother.

Sarge

x2. Well said Coop...

[Sergeant Rock]

Perhaps I should have said "plain" rather than "homely".  There are just too many babe violinists being foist on the public now.  (I wouldn't include Hahn in the "babe" category; I find her rather gawky looking.)

I'm not sure any man can have too many babes foisted on him. The more the better, I say    And I'm with Hornteacher: I think Hahn a major babe...but then we all have different taste even if JdP thinks that's obscene 

Sarge

[prémont]

Her physical appearance does not influence my critical judgment at all. ..... Of the versions I've heard, Jansen comes closest--not because she's attractive but because I finally hear what's been in my head for forty years. That she's a pleasure to look at is just icing on the cake.... Apparently I have no gender bias when it comes to fiddlers. I'm an equal opportunity listener.

OK Sarge, I believe you.

If the additional, and I admit, completely gratuitous picture of Jansen bothered you, I apologize...but hey, sex sells and I wanted my Mendelssohn choice to have a high profile here 

The picture as such did not bother me at all, - it was the way you used the picture, which made me write the post above.