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recs: brahms violin concerto

Kahchun Wong and Julian Rachlin: Brahms Violin Concerto, Bartók Concerto for the Orchestra

This rant is a result of today's painful performance. Kahchun Wong and HK Phil were fantastic, amazing and all those synonyms. However, a great violin concerto performance ultimately is decided by the soloist. Rachlin's rendition is borderline painful to hear, with the muffled, f*cked-up runs and crunchy chords. I have no words. Even then, he chose to play Ysaye 3: Ballade as an encore, exposing his all weaknesses again. Once again, I have no words.

Brahms's Violin Concerto is notoriously known as one of the most difficult violin concertos among the famous ones. The 1st movement begins with a tutti, meaning that the soloist has to stand on the freezing concert hall staff for 4 minutes straight, waiting for a single cue to the theme that requires the thickest tone possible, combined with the perfect balance between projection and perfect intonation. The first 10 minutes of the 1st movement is filled with rapid ascending and descending scales, chords and arpeggios, challenging every aspect of the soloist's virtuosity. In the 2nd movement, the theme is perhaps one of the most elegant melodies for violin, building an echoing call with the flute and oboe. The 3rd movement with a gypsy-inspired Rondo theme demands clear articulation and light touch, with a rhythm-driving phrasing. All-in-all, Brahms VC is difficult, and I am only scratching the surface here.

Oistrakh's rendition of Brahm's concerto is arguably one of the best in history, with a perfect handling of both virtuosity and elegance. His entry possesses such power on the G string, and yet still in tune with great projection and clarity.

In conclusion, great performance by HK Phil today under Kahchun Wong. Rachlin, eh. A much-needed, refreshing concert after Lang Lang 1.5 months ago.

#brahms#classicalmusic#violin#hkphil#oistrakh#violinist#practice

Hilary Hahn's interpretation is another great recommendation. I must say, after listening to her Brahms with NY Phil and Jaap last September, my admiration has only grown since. However, her Brahms recording from ages ago is too 'incomplete' to be recommended. Her playing has definitely matured in the past 20 years.