Hilary Hahn

[gmstudio]

I've never really gotten into concertos. (More of an orchestral, chamber and opera type.)  However, I picked up her Paganini and Elgar discs from the library this weekend and have to admit I kind of like them.  Being naive in the rep, is she "all that" or not? The marketing copy on her Paganini disc would have one believing she's the one and only heir to his crown.   So am I digging her, or are the pieces strong enough for me to be enjoying them in spite of her, so to speak?  Like I said, I don't know the violin concerto repertoire at all.

[Norbeone]

She is actually very good, her Bach Sonatas and Partitas are surprisingly mature, but she is far from the best here, though.

Janine Jansen, however, mmmmmmmmmmmm.     0:)

[PerfectWagnerite]

What do you mean "all that?" There is no question she is extremely talented, but anything mainstream there are probably a dozen or more extremely strong recordings available.

[gmstudio]

What do you mean "all that?"

I guess I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole "how can she be hot AND good?" thing. Like I said, I'm enjoying her discs, but is it just because I don't know any better?

She is actually very good, her Bach Sonatas and Partitas are surprisingly mature, but she is far from the best here, though.

Janine Jansen, however, mmmmmmmmmmmm.     0:)

I just put her Bach Sonatas disc on reserve. Same w/ Jansen.

[The Emperor]

I think the fact that she is hot contributes a lot for her notoriety.
Haven't heard much of her myself.

[longears]

I've never really gotten into concertos. (More of an orchestral, chamber and opera type.)  However, I picked up her Paganini and Elgar discs from the library this weekend and have to admit I kind of like them.  Being naive in the rep, is she "all that" or not? The marketing copy on her Paganini disc would have one believing she's the one and only heir to his crown.   So am I digging her, or are the pieces strong enough for me to be enjoying them in spite of her, so to speak?  Like I said, I don't know the violin concerto repertoire at all.

Many of my favorite orchestral works are concertos.  Hilary Hahn is damned good, neither the Elgar nor Paganini are among the finer works in the violin concerto repertoire (IMO).  There's gotta be a thread on violin concertos around here somewhere, and I know there was one on favorite concertos of all sort not long ago.

I guess I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole "how can she be hot AND good?"

Hilary Hahn is "hot?"  I guess hornteacher isn't the only one who thinks so.  Certainly there's no dearth of fine fiddlers these days with plenty of sex appeal, but few are Ms Hahn's equal as performers, IMO.  Janine Jansen?  I didn't know she was that good (competition is steep!) and she's a bit Rubensesque for my taste otherwise. 

[Imperfect Pitch]

I've been impressed by her recordings.  On her debut album for Sony, she plays the Bach Sonatas & Partitas - three of them - with great exuberance and technical polish.  She produces a very rich (to my ears) sound from her violin, especially in the lower register.  My only complaint is that she had a tendency, at least back then, to overdo the rubato at times.  But this habit seems less pronounced in later recordings of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Paganini violin concertos - could be that playing with an ensemble simply forces the soloist to keep a stricter rhythm.  Anyway, when you receive the Bach CD, I think you'll be impressed by the opening track (Prelude to Partita #3).  Ditto for the final track (Allegro from Sonata #3) and also the famous Chaconne from Partita #2, which - though marred by the rubato issue I mentioned earlier - I actually prefer over other Chaconne performances by the likes of Grumiaux, Milstein, Szigeti, Szeryng, Heifetz, Menuhin, Perlman, et al.  I find her Fugue from the Sonata #3 to be a bit underwhelming, but on the whole it's an excellent album.

[SonicMan46]

Janine Jansen, however, mmmmmmmmmmmm.     0:)

Boy, nothing wrong w/ a young beautiful woman (although Hiliary & Janine, shown below, could be my daughters!) - 

But, don't let these 'lovelies' distract you from the music - the concerto repertoire is VAST, and plenty of historic & modern recordings exist - wine tasting (an enjoyable hobby of mine!) may be an appropriate analogy - the best way to 'judge' the quality of a wine (from the appearance & label on the bottle - hint a pretty face) is by 'blind' tasting - base your decision on your 'ears', but doesn't hurt to have a gorgeous woman performing - 

[Norbeone]

Jansen has to be one of the most beautiful of all creatures. Good player too!   

[The Emperor]

She looks good indeed, Big Thumbs up from me.
I'm sure her playing would be music to my ears

[71 dB]

I guess I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole "how can she be hot AND good?" thing.

Being hot and good are not exclusive things, are they?

I don't think I have ever heard Hilary Hahn's playing (I probably should check out her Elgar VC) and I don't even find her that hot. Alina Pogostkina is hot.

[gmstudio]

Being hot and good are not exclusive things, are they?

In today's music "market," being hot certainly helps, and we all know that hotness can compensate for a lack of talent (see: most pop music), so that's why I was asking about Hilary. Not knowing anything about her or the pieces, I was just wondering if I was being seduced by a creation of the industry, or if my ears were truly picking up on a real talent (as they seem to be.)  My weakness, as I mentioned above, is that I don't know the pieces at all.

[longears]

Jansen has to be one of the most beautiful of all creatures. Good player too!   

That is a well-made photo.  There she looks lovely, indeed, but it does demonstrate that Lara St. John's soft porn example did not go unnoticed by the major labels.  I'm a potential buyer who's actually turned off by such tactics, seeing them as indicating that she lacks the chops to compete on musical merit. But can you really blame the record business for trying to market classical cuties in the same fashion that's made successes of many modestly talented pop singers?

[Josquin des Prez]

But can you really blame the record business for trying to market classical cuties in the same fashion that's made successes of many modestly talented pop singers?

Not when a sizable chunk of the market is supported by women. They are the ones who fall for this type of marketing. Same with "cute" female pop musicians.

[Brian]

I see hornteacher has at last arrived to explain everything!  0:)

[hornteacher]

I see hornteacher has at last arrived to explain everything!  0:)

  I'm just enjoying the thread.

Okay, I know I have a strong bias towards Hilary but I can justify my reasons for it, so hear me out:

1) She is unbelievably talented.  No question.  Just look at her biography.  Began playing at age three, accepted to the Curtis Institute at age ten, premiered with the Baltimore Symphony at age 11, records the Bach CD at age 15, debuts at the PROMS at age 20, wins a Grammy at age 22.  The list goes on and on.  Is she the best violinist ever?  For me yes, but others would be justified in placing someone else in that position.  She is simply one of many incredibly talented soloists of our time.

2) She is cute.  Just look at the cover of the Mendelssohn or Brahms CD and tell me she's not gorgeous.  BUT, Hilary's beauty is not a compensation for her playing ability, and she has never marketed her sexuality blatantly to sell recordings or concert tickets.  She is elegant, graceful, and tasteful in every photoshoot or personal appearance I have ever seen of her.

3) She is a very nice person.  I've met her personally after a concert and she was very kind to all of her fans.  She signed and took pictures for hours, met everyone who wanted to talk to her, hugged children, and remained humble and gracious the entire time.


If you really want to get to know Hilary Hahn the person, watch the DVD "Hilary Hahn: A Portrait".  Its a marvellous way to see just what a wonderful artist and person she is.

BTW, my Amazon List for Everything Hilary Hahn is here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Hilary-Hahn/lm/R1Y49NJVRD21H4/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_1_rsrsrs0

[Todd]

All these mentions of beautiful female classical musicians seems to reinforce the need for a site devoted solely to such a subject.  Thank goodness one already exists.  After all, it's looks that matter.

[not edward]

All these mentions of beautiful female classical musicians seems to reinforce the need for a site devoted solely to such a subject.  Thank goodness one already exists.  After all, it's looks that matter.

What do you think is the chance that the guy who made this site has ever had sex?

[Brian]

Is she the best violinist ever?  For me yes, but others would be justified in placing someone else in that position.  She is simply one of many incredibly talented soloists of our time.

To be honest, I have never heard Hilary Hahn play and feel incredibly guilty about it. Seems to me that she should be the very centerpiece of my frequent argument to friends and other people who can stand to listen to me, that the new generation of classical performers proves that our beloved genre is not dead - but rather on the brink of a new golden age. I am eager to hear her play - but please, until she's 86 and a legend with a full (75 year long) career and a hundred and six recordings and a trail of millions of inspired fans, let's leave the "best ever" talk for someone else to decide. (That's really the only reason I'm not shouting from the rooftops about Yevgeny Sudbin ... )

[gmstudio]

but please, until she's 86 and a legend

But she won't be hot at 86.

Seriously, though, I didn't know she did the Bach disc at 15!  Now I can't wait to hear it.  Also just ordered the Mendelssohn and Brahms.