Hilary Hahn, Zhu - Mozart: Violin Sonatas K. 301, 304, 376 & 526
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Free Music Notes for Mozart: Violin Sonatas K. 301, 304, 376 & 526
Free Music Review: Elegant and Daring
Hit: 5 Stars
Hilary Hahn's playing always combines a powerful interpretation with meticulous technique that may very well be the cleanest on the planet. This naturally provokes a lot of curiosity as to how she might approach Mozart, and this disc certainly doesn't disappoint. In this recording she plays the most famous and representative of the Mozart sonatas, and as you might suspect Hahn brings them to life with penetrating intellect and sparkling clarity.
This recording also features a break with traditional articulation. Most modern instrument recordings feature smooth, singing lyricism contrasted with lilting, dance-like lifts of the bow. Hahn defies this tradition, preferring to keep better control of tone with her bow on the string, even in runs that are traditionally bounced for percussive effect. This may disappoint Mozart listeners who feel "dancing" is the only appropriate contrast to "singing", but the result is that Hahn's sound is warm and lush and the resulting continuity allows longer phrasing that is not constantly chopped apart by excessive contrasts in technique.
If you never listen to a lot of Mozart, I think it's unlikely that this rather esoteric debate will affect your experience at all. I warmly recommend this recording as a great value for both its fabulous playing and the very generous and discriminating selection of sonatas included.
Free Music Review: The Joy of Mozart
Hit: 5 Stars
It is nice to see that music is still produced for the sheer joy of making music. And what other music most exemplifies more than the music of Mozart? I have just purchased this new recording of Mozarts violin sonatas with Hilary Hahn and Natalie Zhu and am still listening to it. This recording shows the benefit of two artists that have worked and grown together artistically for more than 10 years. This is seemlessly and joyfully played Mozart. While these pieces do not contain melodies that most casual listeners will know it takes no time at all to become familiar with them. Hahn and Zhu show here why classical music never loses its appeal as they play this with the sheer enthusiasm and energy of a premiere rather than music that is more than 200 years old. The closeness of these two performers show in the restraint each shows in quiet passages as well the oneness of thought in their perfect unison in Mozarts many changes of tempi throughout these pieces. Hahn and Zhu show why Mozart is just as exciting and relevant today as it was 200 plus years ago. Beautifully played, wonderfully recorded. This is a great recording and great stress releiver providing the escape muchly needed from the much too trendy world we live in. Buy it now. Play it often.Free Music Review: Hahn and Zhu as Equal Partners in Mozart Sonatas
Hit: 5 Stars
At first glance seeing Hilary Hahn and Natalie Zhu on the cover of a CD of Mozart Violin Sonatas seems like a nonsequitor. Hahn is a very popular violinist but more closely identified with the big Concerto repertoire than with Mozart pieces. But with age comes greater appreciation of the early important works of the masters and that seems to be the case here (and who can forget her recording of the Bach solo sonatas and partitas?).
Though more often heard in the scaled down sound of Mozart's period with the pianoforte substituting for the contemporary piano, here Hahn and Zhu find the beauty of tone and warmth of phrasing and textures that fits these sonatas very well indeed. The sound Hahn produces is absolutely glorious: she frolics through the playful A Major Sonata, K. 526, dances with the lightness of the G Major K. 301 and F Major K. 376 sonatas, and yet plumbs the sadness of the Sonata in E Minor K. 304. The two artists are perfectly paired and their years of collaboration clearly shine in this very clean recording. It is a welcome gift for Mozart's 250th birthday! Grady Harp, October 05
Free Music Review: A Labor of Love
Hit: 5 Stars
Listening to these two marvelously talented young women play this delightful music is an occasion for great joy. To hear both of them not only playing their parts but also listening to each other for inspiration is to hear the music of Mozart not as something more than 200 years old, but as something very much alive today.
Those new to classical music often start with large-scale forms--symphonies and concertos. There are also great rewards to be found in the more intimate forms, such as the violin sonatas included in this program. I have listened to recordings of sonatas where it sounded as though the performers were trying to make some sort of academic point; however, listening to these performers made me think that their agenda was simply to get together and play music that they loved to play. How fortunate we are to be able to taste the fruits of that labor of love! To all music fans, I recommend this recording, but especially to those who feel they could use a little comfort and joy in their too-busy lives.
Free Music Review: A joy to listen to.
Hit: 5 Stars
At last, a chance to hear Natalie Zhu. Being a Hilary Hahn fan for a few years now, I have read about Ms. Zhu and heard her in interviews, snippets, etc. but have no other recording of her playing. (If anyone knows of her recordings or has recommendations, please let me know)
From the moment the CD starts it's a magical meld of musicianship. The piano and violin immediately compliment each other and you know there's nothing else that will be needed or wanted for the entire disc.
And that's just the warm up. For some reason, Track 2 especially hits home with me. It's simply beautiful. The rest of the disc is more of the same wonderful music and performance.
I'm not a big Mozart fan but will be listening to these sonatas over and over. You can listen to this disc anyway you wish. Intently, in the background, in the car. It fits perfectly anywhere.
Hmmm, maybe if I put an addition on the house Hilary and Natalie can just stay there and play. I'll feed them...