Midori - Live at Carnegie Hall / Robert McDonald
by Peter Rosen
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: MidoriDirector: Peter Rosen
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 109 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-30
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
Movie Reviews of Midori - Live at Carnegie Hall / Robert McDonald
Movie Review: Some of the Best Violin Playing
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably one of the greatest recitals in all of history. And the fact that it was captured so beautifully on video makes it that much more valuable as a contribution to the world of classical music and the violin. Midori was only 18 when this was done in 1990 - and it puts so many previous recitals by long-established fiddlers to shame, much as Heifetz's sensational 1917 debut in the same hall did over seventy years earlier. Robert McDonald, (still Midori's frequent piano collaborator at the time of this review) is in perfect synchronization with her throughout, never overpowering and always knowing exactly what is coming next. The program has three sonatas - two in G major by Mozart and Beethoven (#8), and the Strauss in E-flat. Midori captures all the joy inherent in these oft-played works, and bringing out the somberness when appropriate. H.W. Ernst, who lived during Paganini's time but now virtually unknown today, wrote many etudes and smaller pieces for the violin; these are rarely performed because most of them are taxingly difficult. "The Last Rose of Summer" is one of Ernst's Polyphonic Studies for violin, and Midori plays it flawlessly, bringing out the melodic line over the runs, harmonics, and pizzicato that make up the accompaniment. The audience, as you can tell, was floored - I only wish I'd been there. The beautiful and dark Chopin-Milstein "Nocturne in C# minor" precedes the Ravel "Tzigane". Of all the live performances or recordings of "Tzigane" that a violinist will ever hear, this one is surely one of the most interesting. The opening cadenza is played with all the abandonment and spontaneity that Ravel imagined, yet Midori doesn't hack through it as many do. Most play the middle sections all at the same tempo - Midori follows the tempo indications quite closely. The harmonics sparkle and the tonal coloring brings forth the 'gypsy' spirit. The last page of sixteenth notes (again, often played too fast and at the same tempo) starts slowly and builds to an enormous climax, as it should, resulting in an instant standing ovation. Debussy-Heifetz's "Beau Soir" is the first encore - most appropriate, to remind us of the quieter side of the violin, after the Ravel. Sarasate's "Zapateado" Spanish dance is the final number. Midori has some fun here - after the first passage, the audience starts applauding; Midori gives a quick grin of appreciation, and plays the rest of the piece with obvious delight. Special mention must also be made of the segment shown during the program's intermission, a retrospective of Midori's life as a rising star who came to the United States from Japan. Hosted by one of Midori's former teachers at a professional children's school, it gives the listener an even greater appreciation for the artist. Recommended for anyone, I think this DVD could easily replace everything currently on the market under the guise "Classical Music for Dummies."
Summary of Midori - Live at Carnegie Hall / Robert McDonald
This program features Midori performing excerpts from Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, Ernst, Chopin and Ravel with Robert McDonald, piano. Strauss - Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 18
Mozart - Sonata in G Major, K. 301
Beethoven - Sonata No.8 in G Major Op. 30, No. 3.
Ernst - Variations on the Last Rose of Summer
Ernst - Variations on the Last Rose of Summer
Chopin - Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor
Ravel ? Tzigane
Debussy - Beau Soir
Sarasate ? Zapateado
Poldini - Dancing Doll
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