Sarah Chang - Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35; Brahms: Hungarian Dances

Sarah... at the age of 11 years old

I am listening to this CD, just being amazed again that she was only 11 years old when she recorded this piece, one of the most beloved violin concertos. This is phenomenal and I love it! I want to give this Thaikovsky recording a full mark. (Actually, I don't feel the same excitment from her most recent recordings, though) November 8, 2008

Amazing Performance!

I think Sarah Chang's recording is absolutely amazing. Her playing is on par with almost every other recording I've heard, and I highly doubt anyone could tell the violinist was 11 by listening to this playing. It's truly great by any standard.

Some might criticize her playing as "immature", but I don't really buy that. Even if her playing at this young age is different than she might perform it today or a older performer might play it, what is so bad about that? Who decided that a child can't have an opinion or point of view that is valid for it's own sake (as opposed to just being a "flawed" version of their future self)? Children often see things in more simply terms, but let's face it... the Tchaikovsky Concerto, for all it's greatness, isn't a particularly complicated or profound piece of music. It's a virtuoso piece with beautiful melodies, and for this reason offers an excellent vehicle for a younger player who might lack the insight to play a more intellectually challenging concerto like Shostakovich No 1 or Sibelius.

Children often have the ability to cut through everything and get down to the obvious truth of an issue that adults might over-analyze half to death... I think Chang's interpretation of the piece is just that. She doesn't over do anything. She just plays beautiful, well-phrased music with flawless technique. I think that's quite an accomplish at any age. June 28, 2006

great!

Like ElectrostatDan - I heard this on the radio having missed the info of who it was. I thought it was incredibly good!

By an 11 year old?????

Even more incredible.

April 5, 2006

Tchaikovsky

Not the best performance of the world's greatest violin concerto, but a fine recording nontheless. March 22, 2006

The best Tchaikovsky recording!

This is just amazing! Sarah Chang was only 11 years old when this was recorded, yet it surpasses every recording. First of all, Sarah thinks about how she can play each phrase, you can hear every emotion that can possibly be brought out of the music. She makes sense of eveything. There is never anything that is just, there, everything has meaning. Secondly, while this may be a tad slower than other recordings, it is for the better of the piece. Never has there been a recording where you can hear that many notes, that in tune, and that cleanly played. It's like you're reading the notes right off the page. This aspect also gives the music a sense of prolonging and savoring every moment of the music. Finally, Sarah's lucious tone and artistry top it all off to make this the finest Tchaikovsky out there! A must have for all violin lovers, or someone that is new to violin and wants to hear more. Won't dissapoint! December 28, 2005

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