Goldmark - Violin Concerto · Prometheus-Overture / Sarah Chang · Conlon

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Despite the advocacy of Nathan Milstein and Itzhak Perlman, Goldmark's only violin concerto remains a marginal item. It is written in an attractive late-romantic style with a lot of impressive, idiomatic difficulties for the soloist, but it does meander somewhat. Now that we can stop marveling at Chang the young prodigy and consider her as a mature artist, her interpretation of this concerto bears comparison with the best. She plays with great suavity and refinement; she has a clear conception of what she wants, and plays it dazzlingly. She is very well seconded by the venerable Cologne orchestra under its American conductor, and they are all realistically recorded. The problem with the disc is that it comprises only the concerto and a long concert overture that probably won't interest most listeners very much. And Bronislaw Gimpel's antique recording of the concerto (in a super-bargain Vox set), while not nearly as well recorded, is probably more approachable as a performance; Gimpel really sells the concerto, playing with more overt romanticism. Still, Chang's many fans (including this reviewer) will certainly enjoy her playing here, while wishing they'd been offered more of it. --Leslie Gerber

Goldmark - Violin Concerto · Prometheus-Overture / Sarah Chang · Conlon, Music, Karl Goldmark, James Conlon, Sarah Chang, Gürzenich-Orchester, Kölner Philharmoniker, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Concerto, Orchestral, Romantic Overture for Orchestra, Violin Concerto

Goldmark - Violin Concerto · Prometheus-Overture / Sarah Chang · Conlon
Average customer rating:

Great Music!!

Soul-wrenching performance straight from Sarah's heart...

ITs good

A welcoming disc, and a great one!

Goldmark - Violin Concerto · Prometheus-Overture / Sarah Chang · Conlon
Karl Goldmark , James Conlon , Sarah Chang , Gürzenich-Orchester , and Kölner Philharmoniker
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Goldmark | Goldmark, Karl | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Chang, Sarah | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00003W7Z3
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In A Minor Op.28(1877): I. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In A Minor Op.28(1877): II. Air: Andante
Violin Concerto In A Minor Op.28(1877): III. Moderato - Allegretto
Overture from 'Prometheus Bound' Op.38 (1889)

Amazon.com

Despite the advocacy of Nathan Milstein and Itzhak Perlman, Goldmark's only violin concerto remains a marginal item. It is written in an attractive late-romantic style with a lot of impressive, idiomatic difficulties for the soloist, but it does meander somewhat. Now that we can stop marveling at Chang the young prodigy and consider her as a mature artist, her interpretation of this concerto bears comparison with the best. She plays with great suavity and refinement; she has a clear conception of what she wants, and plays it dazzlingly. She is very well seconded by the venerable Cologne orchestra under its American conductor, and they are all realistically recorded. The problem with the disc is that it comprises only the concerto and a long concert overture that probably won't interest most listeners very much. And Bronislaw Gimpel's antique recording of the concerto (in a super-bargain Vox set), while not nearly as well recorded, is probably more approachable as a performance; Gimpel really sells the concerto, playing with more overt romanticism. Still, Chang's many fans (including this reviewer) will certainly enjoy her playing here, while wishing they'd been offered more of it. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Great Music!!.......2001-07-15

ALthough some may find this cd not economical as it only has the Goldmark concerto on record,this cd is nevertheless the best that Sarah has ever recorded. Here is an extremely talented artist who seems to possess an innate affinty for music.Her wonderfully unique tone,warm in the lower registers and shining brightly in the higher tessituras,coupled with her pleasing phrasings throughout the piece never fail to amaze the listener.In this case,she doesnt just amaze but she moves hearts and grabs the attention with full vibrato in certain phrases,and more aggressive bow strokes than her previous recordings,giving rise to impassioned playing that seamlessly shifts from that of noble melancholy to venomous outbursts of fury. If there is any cd that bears testament to the transition of Sarah Chang from prodigy to a mature artist,it has to be this disc.Major changes in tone from the sweet innocent sounding voice she had when she was young to the darker n fuller sounds shes got today,more assertive bowing coupled with a perfectly controlled vibrato and...as well as that special something inside Sarah which makes this piece almost sound like its been tailored for her!She does seem to have total understanding of this Goldmark Concerto....and she uses this to the fullest extent in playing of moving emotional intensity...when I hear Sarah,i always expect something deeply emotional,and this cd has been more than i expected. Lyrical in nature,it may not have the catchy melodies that of mendelsohnn and the bruch.I had slight trouble adjusting to Sarah's new tone and bowing as well as this rather uncommon work after being conditioned by her previous recordings...but after you get used to it...You'll love Goldmark's only violin concerto and Sarah. :)

Soul-wrenching performance straight from Sarah's heart..........2001-05-01

There are some works of music that seem so inspired that its incredulous how the composer could have thought of such great tunes himself... The same applies to this very performance...Ive heard many cds...and Sarah is really in a class of her own.Obviously so;she never had to go through any of those violin competitions.Shes the most natural violinist. The same nine yr old girl who released her debut album MUST be gifted in a very very natural way.Hearing is Believing...her playing is inspired naturally.Even more so in this very recording of the Goldmark...I strongly recommend this album to any TRUE lover of music...music being defined as something truthful from the heart....its really amazing how Sarah will sound in another 10 yrs time.... i apologise for this informality...but words was never my preferred form of communication. :)

ITs good.......2000-06-15

yes.She has definitely matured in comparison to her previous recordings....her vibrato now is even more stunning,especially on the utmost registers of the violin.Some people would find the vibrato intrusive.But not so as she does it only to carry forth her visions....that is full of hope,hope of something good eventually.This can be clearly seen in the soaring intimate passages in the first movement.I like it.

A welcoming disc, and a great one!.......2000-02-06

The 1990s has been somewhat kind to Goldmark's music. Yodani Butt with the Philharmonia (ASV) recorded his symphonies and other works while other artists and ensembles recorded his chamber and instrumental works (especially the great recording of his Suites for Violin and Piano performed by Wallin and Canino under a CPO recording). Record companies re-issued great recordings of his Rustic Wedding Symphony under Abravanel and Bernstein while others kept recordings of his works from deletion. On the debit side, however, the only complete recording of "Die Koniga Von Sheba" has been deleted by Hungaroton Classics Ltd. (a sad misfortune no doubt).

This new EMI recording of Goldmark's Violin Concerto and overture (more of a symphonic poem) "Prometheus Bound" provide a wonderful continuation of the promotion of his art. What a marvellous performance violinist Sarah Chang gave us in the concerto. In terms of meeting with some of most virtuosic demands the concerto has to offer, Sarah Chang is not behind Itzhak Perlman's performance (also under EMI with Previn & the Pittsburgh Symphony). Chang's flexibility and approach is nothing but admirable and I'm especially awed at the warmth she displayed at the calm passages in the Allegro moderato movement. There's something magical there and even in the Andante. Perlman's approach is more stern and perhaps coarse, but Chang opted more for balance and it paid off. James Conlon and the Gurzenich-Orchestra Kolner Philharmonic gave their vivid, warm, and enthusiastic support. The same conductor/orchestra team gave us a great performance of Goldmark's "Promotheus Bound." Of the other recordings of the work, Conlon's approach generated greater emotional drive and convincing power.

Despite the popularity of the Concerto, the recording is surprising scarce. Yes Goldmark adhered to the German Romantic tradition (the marchlike theme of the First Movement reminiscene the Finale in Bruckner's Sixth Symphony). But Goldmark's art is noble, beautiful, passionate, and honest and Sarah Chang and James Conlon with Gurzenich-Orchestra Kolner Philharmonic under this new EMI recording demonstrated that well and in great justice.

A very welcoming disc indeed!

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