Joshua Bell's Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (CD)

This is currently my favorite Joshua Bell CD that I own, and one of my favorite violin concertos of all time. The first time I heard this concerto was in a Chinese foreign movie, Together, about a prodigy violinist, and then I heard it again when I went to see the Kirov Russian Orchestra perform at my university. Yet, they don't compare to Joshua Bell's amazing performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35.

This unique violin concerto was first rejected by listeners due to it's "harsh" (to its time period) treatment of the violin, as people saw it as abuse to the violin strings, overworking the violin and musician through quick passages and outrageous string crossings that only a master could perfect. However, I think quite the contrary: it's a work of art, a masterpiece, and brilliant. Maybe I'm a biased fan, but Joshua Bell makes it intense!

The concerto begins with an "Allegro moderato" movement, entering with soft strings. But for a near 20 minute movement, it only gets better. The intensity builds as more instruments are added to the music and a huge crescendo builds up and ritards for the violin soloist's entrance. Ah, Joshua Bell's beautiful clarity and bright playing. Such a joyful movement, bouncing on the strings and stroking them at the same time. The orchestra is constantly in and out of the movement, adding to the forte sections and backing off again when it's time for Joshua to shine -- though, he shines throughout the whole album, orchestra or no orchestra. He displays his mastery of violin technique in this movement (I mean, it's almost half an hour worth of great music).

The second movement, "Canzonetta: Andante", gives the listener a break from the intensity of the previous movement. Joshua Bell puts so much emotion into this movement, as it is a more sorrowful sounding movement, and slower. Very beautiful. But it's only 6 minutes and 33 seconds long, so let's move on.

Finally, the strong ending to this impressive concerto: "Finale: Allegro vivacissimo". My favorite movement! Right from the ending of the previous movement, the orchestra jumps right into this one, with a BANG! Ah, it makes me smile. Imagine yourself the conductor in front of the orchestra -- can you keep up? Joshua Bell races with the violin and speeds through notes like it's nothing. It gives the listener such an adrenaline rush, and makes the listener feel right at the venue. From the lively start, the movement has a, sweet, slow break in the middle, and it always makes me want to close my eyes and think of lovely times gone by. But that only lasts for a minute before it runs a scale of sixteenth notes right back into the real tempo of the music -- allegro vivacissimo! A good 11 minutes of finale to make your heart race.

This album also includes an extra two pieces by Tchaikovsky: "Meditation in D minor, Op. 42, No. 1" and "Danse Russe from Swan Lake, Op. 20 (Act 3)". The first of the two is a more calm, relaxed piece with a bit of sadness. The second, is quite the opposite, surprsing the listener by entering with a loud, striking chord, with a long cadenza-style solo following, continuing into a gypsy sounding melody. Intense ending, which should result in a standing ovation were it a live performance!

Joshua Bell's clarity and technique is amazing, I can't emphasize that enough. I highly recommend this album for classical music lovers (and I would assume real Joshua Bell fans already own it). If you don't have it, go and get it!

Pros
Highly entertaining and great music

Cons
Only 5 tracks; can be wonderfully distracting (not for studying or sleeping!)

The Bottom Line
One of Joshua Bell's best albums (in my opinion), and the music is amazingly intense!

Recommended:
Yes