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Schoenberg Violin Concerto Op.36/Sibelius Violin Concerto Op.47 | 
 enlarge | Creators: Sibelius, Schoenberg, Hilary Hahn
Label: DG
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy New: $9.94
You Save: $7.04 (41%)
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Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 2783
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.6
MPN: 001085802
UPC: 028947773467
EAN: 0028947773467
ASIN: B0011WMWUW
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | 1 Poco allegro | | • | 2 Andante grazioso | | • | 3 Finale: Allegro | | • | 1 Allegro moderato | | • | 2 Adagio di molto | | • | 3 Allegro, ma non tanto |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
In another original pairing violinist Hilary Hahn brings together the familiar, highly commercial and long-awaited recording of the famous Sibelius Violin Concerto with the rarely performed Violin Concerto by Arnold Schoenberg. Hahn brings out the romantic qualities of Schoenberg's Concerto--known as one of the most difficult pieces in the violin repertoire--showing why it makes an ideal coupling with the Sibelius--"Hahn didn't merely play the notes, she passionately engaged with them." (The Daily Telegraph on a live performance of the Schoenberg Violin Concerto). As both an acclaimed Sibelius interpreter and a known advocate of 20th-century music in concert halls worldwide, Esa-Pekka Salonen is the ideal musical partner in this project.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Hilary Hahn Sibelius & Schoenberg January 6, 2009
CHARLES SCOTT JOHNSON (Virginia)
Excellent CD. Sibelius is more familuar than Schoenberg, but both works are performed exceptionally well.
 An impressive Sibelius, an accessible Schoenberg December 26, 2008
Craig Clarke (New England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The sole violin concerto written by composer Jean Sibelius is my single favorite piece of music. I've heard several recordings of it, from Jascha Heifetz (stunning) to Maxim Vengerov (disappointing save for a rousing finale), and any new recording excites me with the possibilities.
Hilary Hahn's recent recording of the Sibelius violin concerto, under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, is nothing less than gorgeous. Her tones are pure, and she extends the slow parts, squeezing every last bit of emotion out of them. Salonen and the orchestra offer commendable support. In contrast, the violinists I've heard before this (all men, if that matters) seemed to be interested more in just hitting all the notes perfectly. Hahn opened a new door for me.
The Schoenberg violin concerto paired on the disc was written using the composer's pioneering dodecaphonic (or 12-tone) technique. Schoenberg himself pronounced it "unplayable" (with pride!), but Hahn gives it the old college try and manages to draw a discernible melody out of the dissonance. This is definitely the more challenging listen of the two pieces, but repeated tries are most definitely rewarded, especially for those interested in the history of modern classical music (Schoenberg is the undisputed progenitor of such phase, so I'm reserving judgment until I can get my head around it properly with a few listens. Also, I have no frame of reference, never having heard it before.
Twenty years ago, Salonen led violinist Cho-Liang Lin in a recording of the Sibelius violin concerto (paired with the violin concerto of Sibelius's fellow countryman Carl Nielsen) that has since become a classic. I have no doubt that this Hahn performance will achieve an equal level of respect over time.
A Mastery for Modern December 26, 2008
Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO)
I own Hilary Hahn an apology. For some reason I never quite payed the deserved attention to her career before hearing this truly stunning recording. I was stuck in the image of Miss Hahn as a "child prodigy" and not the fully seasoned veteran she has blossomed to be now (at age 29 this year). In her latest effort here, it is fuly apparent how this fine musician has matured to become one of her generation's finest violinists.
Schoenberg's sole violin concerto is something like a Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit for violinists - a pinnacle piece only attempted by the fully-matured virtuoso. In this strange yet alluring modern work, Hilary Hahn shows she stands among the finer of today's big concerto players. She seems to have a well-studied approach and striking resonance for this music - as does the Swedish Radio Symphony orchestra - as she navigates the chromatic nuances, fascinating textures and daunting technical gauntlets of this unique score.
As much as I don't quite connect with composers like Schoenberg (yet at least), Ms. Hahn's astonishing virtuosity, intellectual maturity and beautiful synchronicity with the orchestra came across as a special event and pulled me into this otherly musical world. It would be a performance to definitely see in person. The orchestra is powerful and spellbinding.
Jean Sibelius is considered the greatest symphonist since Brahms and the latter's influece for romantic ardour is heard in his sole violin concerto. Along with the symphonies, Sibelius's 1905 violin concerto is one of the most important works in Finnish music legecy. In spite of being somewhat of a failed violin virtuoso, Silelius gave us here a masterwork full of magnificant violin moments. The mid-movement candenza in the great first movement is a unique touch. Hahn approaches this hallmark piece with great mastery and beautiful tone. Her clarity and precision, as in the Schoenberg, is impeccable and deeply admirable. You sense complete confidence.
The sound quality is very good and brings out the fullness of these works. Rightfully so, this weighty recording was nominated for two Grammys - and helped propel this marvelous musician into the coveted "Gramphone Artist of the Year" award in 2008. Compositions - 4.5; Performance - 5; Sound qaulity - 4.5.
 The greatest Schoenberg - a bland Sibelius December 10, 2008
P. Cruz
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was not a fan of Schoenberg's violin concerto until I heard Hahn's version. She plays with astonishing technique, and Salonen is the right conductor for the job. The excellent audio quality also helped quite a bit. Personally, I would never consider another recording of the piece after listening to this one - it made me see music in it, whether previously I had only heard math. Bravo.
The Sibelius, however, was to me extremely disappointing. Both Hahn and Salonen are cold and detached. I felt her playing completely lacked in passion and imagination - it's as if she didn't care for the piece. The third movement displays her fantastic technique, but the first two are almost painful to listen to, since they murder and bury all the passion and feeling in Sibelius' score. To me, there is no greater version than Christian Ferras', who plays it with the despair of a madman, and rightfully so.
Great job Hilary December 7, 2008
K. D. Whitehead (New Zealand)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Sibelius violin concerto has been a favourite of mine for many years. I first encountered Hilary playing this concerto on YouTube. That performance showed good clarity and technical proficiency, but for me lacked the full potential of a more mature and emotional performance. This recording however delivers a depth of emotion that for me brings the concerto alive. I purchased this album based upon my love of the concerto and because of my appreciation for an extremely gifted violinist. Hilary has delivered a very satisfying recording of both concertos. Whether you are familary with either concertos or not, I highly recommend this album. As a point of interst it would be nice to hear her tackle Sibelius's original score.
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