Audio CD review:
Ernest Bloch, Johannes Brahms, Edwin Grasse, Fritz Kreisler, Ottokar Novacek, Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, Henryk Wieniawski - Joshua Bell. Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski.

Ernest Bloch, Johannes Brahms, Edwin Grasse, Fritz Kreisler, Ottokar Novacek, Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, Henryk Wieniawski - Joshua Bell. Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski.

Band: Ernest Bloch, Johannes Brahms, Edwin Grasse, Fritz Kreisler, Ottokar Novacek, Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, Henryk Wieniawski Title: Joshua Bell. Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski. Rating: Release Date: 12 April, 2005 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Variations on an original theme, Op.15 2: Romance, Op.78, No.2 3: Mazurka, Op.81, No.1 4: Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor-Transcr. Joseph Joachim 5: Cantabile, Op.17 6: Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op.16 7: Nigun (Improvisation) 8: Perpetuum mobile 9: The Prophet Bird 10: Spanish Dance No.1 11: Waves at play (Wellenspiel) 12: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - Arr. Waxman 13: Praeludium and Allegro 14: Schön Rosmarin 15: Tambourin chinois 16: Caprice viennois op.2 17: La Précieuse (in the style of Louis Couperin) 18: Liebesfreud 19: Liebesleid 20: La Gitana 21: Berceuse Romantique (Caprice) 22: Polichinelle (Sérénade) 23: Rondino on a Theme by Beethoven 24: Tempo di menuetto (in the style of Pugnani) 25: Toy Soldiers' March 26: Allegretto (in the style of Boccherini) 27: Marche miniature viennoise 28: Aucassin and Nicolette (canzonetta medievale) 29: Menuet (in the style of Porpora) 30: Sicilienne and Rigaudon (in the style of Francois Francoeur) 31: Syncopation

Customer Reviews The Phenomenal Maestro Joshua Bell! I was watching him with weary, suspicious eyes. Joshua Bell showed up on my TV screen, for the New Year's concert in which he was the soloist to perform popular pieces, such as those of Fritz Kreisler. What can this young man (notice the reverse age discrimination on my part) teach me about these old popular virtuoso pieces? How can this "kid" from Indiana soothe my nostalgia for these pieces that I associate with "the good, old Europe"? By the time the concert was over, I have found out that Joshua Bell, now Maestro Bell rather than "the kid from Indiana", not only captured, but improved these old violin favorites! I rushed immediately to order his records. On the double CD "Violin Favourites & Virtuoso Showpieces", Maestro Bell plays Kreisler, Brahms, Paganini, Sarasate, Wieniawski and other composers. This phenomenal violinist plays these pieces with an unprecedented elegance and sophistication. Most importantly, he does not suffocate his listeners with his emotions, but instead he offers a refined performance with lots of musical space for the listeners to put their five cents worth of musical emotions. He has completely rejected the idea of any schmaltz, which has unfortunately become a signature for many of these pieces. Instead, he concentrates upon and captures the intrinsic beauty of this music. I must address his virtuosity. He is so phenomenal, that I think that Paganini could not do it any better. Maestro Bell, I feel, is not really interested in dazzling his audience (although it happens automatically), but is simply exploring the limits of what violin as an instrument and he as a performer can offer. His left- and right-hand pizzicatos, double stops, harmonics, and staccatos at a very fast pace, make violin sounds so much more exciting. His virtuosity is in service of the interpretation of the pieces he plays. Listen carefully to Maestro Bell! You can hear every note separately, no matter how fast he plays. You may wonder how fast Maestro Bell can play. In my opinion, if he played any faster, my ears could not detect the separate notes! His playing deserves an Olympic Gold Medal! He plays popular pieces, such as those of Kreisler, which some listeners, who consider themselves sophisticated, look down upon. And yet, these may be the pieces that they often enjoy the most, out of the entire concert, when they are played as an encore. They would never admit it! Maestro Bell's sophisticated performance of these pieces has given such listeners an opportunity to come out of their closets and enjoy Kreisler openly. They can then join the rest of us who think that there is nothing wrong with the pretty music that many generations of listeners love. This recording is an absolute must for anybody who ever played the violin. It will make you recapture your youthful love for this beautiful instrument, which Maestro Bell shows at its best! Thank you, Maestro Bell! Needless to say, I give Maestro Bell five stars! . Love it I've been listening to this at work every day and never get tired of it. beautiful ,beautiful I am not a music critic nor do I "know" much about music but if you love lovely violin music you will love this. . You can see a complete list of all Ernest Bloch, Johannes Brahms, Edwin Grasse, Fritz Kreisler, Ottokar Novacek, Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, Henryk Wieniawski discography, or go back to the Ernest Bloch, Johannes Brahms, Edwin Grasse, Fritz Kreisler, Ottokar Novacek, Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, Henryk Wieniawski tabs