Gill Shaham---Violin Recordings

Jim Hannon -- Sat, 05/03/2008 - 22:36

I recently heard violinist Gill Shaham perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with MTT and the San Francisco Symphony. Mr. Shaham's performance was as good as I have heard, including recordings by Heifetz, Ricci, and Perlman.

Can anyone recommend recordings by Mr. Shaham and whether they capture the artistry of what he does in front of a live audience?

Thanks!

Bob Stern -- Fri, 10/03/2008 - 14:21

I enthusiastically recommend Shaham's DG recording of Bartok's violin concerto #2 with Boulez & Chicago Sym.

I'm not a fan of Bartok's more angular music, but Shaham plays it extremely lyrically, emphasizing the beautiful melodies rather than the angular character. Boulez is involving and not at all clinical.

Sound-wise, the treble is smooth, without DG's usual glassy or harsh quality, although it's not silky. Like most concerto recordings, the violin is unnaturally prominent relative to the orchestra, so the interesting accompaniment is not always as audible as it should be in the softer passages.

I've never heard Shaham live, so cannot make that comparison.

Jim Hannon -- Fri, 10/03/2008 - 17:09

Thanks, Bob.
I'll check it out.
Jim