Rachmaninoff - Vocalise performed by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg

[Wavewolfaroha]

This interpretation conveys the "build" of the composition as no other, and her tone is simply magnificent. As Malafede122112 commented, she "sings". I played in the orchestra accompanying her in York, PA, and she was wonderful to work with and has my profound respect as a musician.

[violinboomerang]

You're the best!!!!!Thanks for playing with my youth orchestra in October!!!!!It was an amazing experience for all of us!!!!!

[ytilibalaiava]

3 assholes!

[ssibiryakov]

Прекрасно!

[Largo64]

Nadja plays with a tear in her music, as some singers do with the voice. She can make me cry, too. It's impossible to tell whether she is in the music, or the music is in her. When she plays they are one.

[crzyazn107]

she just played the medehlson today with me and the rest of the FSYO symphonic group C:

she is amazing!

when i was playing and she started it, i was blown away! :)

[butterbeeraftertaste]

@crzyazn107 Oh, I watched it from the audience since I'm in Philharmonia, but I can just imagine how it must have been actually playing WITH her. Luckily I was in the third row, so I was pretty close, haha. :)

[violinboomerang]

@crzyazn107 That was awesome, wasn't it?

[starvinggods]

there are parts of this where she makes it sound almost husky, like someone crying. i love it.

[countycop6]

argerichluvr, I'm not sure what your interpretation of my comment is, however, it was meant to compare a classical musician with a blues musician. And, this comparison was intended to point out one thing these two musicians have in common. That is: their complete virtuosity and that when they play (or played in SRV's case) the musician comes out, not just the music. It was absolutely intended to be a compliment, at least in my opinion. Hope that helps.

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - @countycop6 - We are definitely in the same boat. Like you mentioned, some folks get on here with their mighty egos flaming and nothing drives me more nuts. It's the soul which is comes through, not the "empty technique.” Nadja and I had a long conversation about the Tchai. she had just played. She was whining about her tone in the slow movement.

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - That's when I had enough and said, "Child, you are going to have some aged Gouda cheese with that same "old" whine which I always hear after your Tchai. 2nd. I'm sick and tired of you bitching about that 2nd mvt. which she plays phenomenally well. "Since Delay is gone, go study it with Zuckerman." He'll chew you a new one!!

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - Or go to Europe and study at the Paris Conservatory. We both fell asleep on the living room floor with kinks in our necks the next day. She's a hoot and you'd love her. Thanks ever so much for writing.

[argerichluvr]

If you'll allow a dumb pianist who studied violin for about a year then gave it up out of desperation to ask another silly question, I realize Rach. asked for the A theme to be played on the G string (with lament, scratchiness, and almost pity), then the repeat on the rest of the strings. How does this enter into the dialogue below? Does a concert violinist, like some of you, make vibrato wider or lesser on the G string with the opposite happening on the repeat? Help, I'm trying to learn!!

[countycop6]

She's the "Stevie Ray" of classical music. The best and fun to watch. Nadja is perfect for classical music in our modern "visual" society. Bravo

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - I'm from the midwest and fortunately Nadja has come here a lot. In fact, I'm lucky enough to call her a friend since she's stayed with me numerous times rather than take a hotel room since I live between two major orchestras with which she often performs. I very much like what you're saying but do you find so many people "afraid" of her "visual" movement on stage? Do I interpret what you're saying correctly? Thoughts?

[countycop6]

@argerichluvr Also, I was married to a horn player and was exposed to the classical music scene, to wit: everything from college students to the principle horn player of a major orchestra. Though I love classical music, my experience with the people was not good. Everyone seemed to have a very lofty opinion of him/herself. Nadja comes across as a genuine and down to earth, as it were. That, to me, makes her the best I've ever seen or heard. Airy bow, moves too much....BLAH! She's the best

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - Hi again. I'm not feeling great today so perhaps I missed it, but I can't find a post where I directly answered your concern over your experience with musicians. Being a pianist I have played with numerous folks from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to the NY Philharmonic. I'm embarrassed for them since I've only run into a couple divas, but the rest have been down to earth, nurturing and kind. It seems as though the "wicked" ones are the most insecure and doubt their abilities.

[argerichluvr]

@countycop6 - I also wouldn't give too much credibility to folks like this because at some point one has to say, "are they worth my allowing myself to incite my wrath." Probably not. In fact it's somewhat ironic in that my piano student (the retired violinist from the NY Phil) has composers, players, stage hands who are all great friends of her from all over the place. I've been with them all and THEY'RE ALL GREAT PEOPLE. That's why it saddens me you've had some bad experiences with folks.

[countycop6]

@argerichluvr I am a musician, not classical, and I've had my share of the same experiences with musicians outside of classical music. I did not intend to infer that all classical musicians are so. I simply tire of comments such as, "that's not what the composer intended" and such like. That's like saying that you can't think on a painting differently than the painter thought. It's absurd. But, what do I know?

[cellogirl32]

@jdzzdj you basically took the words right out of my mouth. That, and the piece is too slow for my taste and her bow stroke is too airy. I envy passionate players, but I also have an opinion on how pieces should be played, whether or not people agree is up to them.

[argerichluvr]

@cellogirl32 - Are you supporting yourself in your concert career as a cellist? Or do you concertize? If so, where? And I don't like Heifetz's high bow arm but like Nadja and her "airiness", both will go down in history as a couple of the best. And speaking of your taste, you obviously have none in terms of tempi. And yes, thank you for allowing me to totally disagree with your aural skills and your idiotic opinion. I guess by now you've figured your opinion and mine DO NOT coincide.

[SeanMan87]

Nadja has so much to say in her playing-- so much conversation. In the documentary there is a slow-mo of her finger vibrato. Visually it looks disgusting, as if a human finger should never move like that, yet her tone is just gorgeous. Her playing is very personal, I can feel what she's feeling inside. I love you Nadja.

[alecmariani]

I first heard Nadja when I was 16 years old. She has a unusually beautiful sound and throws her whole being into her passionate performances. I love that! In master classes she is direct, vibrant and mesmerizing. She is so uniquely charismatic that, when she walks into a room, the focus shifts to her.

[RaiderEleven]

Gorgeous! Thank you, Nadja and Anne-Marie. Well done, ladies!

[oldgypsytap]

Exquisite! Nadja is a great artist who I wish would appear more often in L.A....with the LAPhil.

[willowsings1]

Vibrato is a good thing, in my opinion.

[watutman]

I am a big fan of Nadja's. But @ jdzzdj, I have to agree with you that the vibrato is a bit too constant.

[argerichluvr]

@watutman - Allow me to ask - are you talking about the speed/wave length of her vibrato or do you feel she uses it too frequently? Or perhaps both? I'm curious since one of my piano students spent 37 years with the NYPhil and or course we have no chance for discourse with vibrarato and piano, but we've talked at length about violinistic vibrato and style periods and personal taste. I would merely like to pick your brain. I hope you still post here and are willing to share.

[vetiversystems]

Poignant and beautifully nuanced performance. I think Nadja's playing here is expressive and controlled. And, no, her vibrato is not the same throughout the piece. What a lovely detache! Seamless... Bravo!

[jdzzdj]

The same vibrato for every single note...as if they had the same meaning importance and function...how sadly boring...

[CzechViolist]

@jdzzdj I would love to see a video where you play better!

[argerichluvr]

@jdzzdj - And your diatribe - all the same whining. Like the other nerd on here who referred to her vibrato sounding like masturbation. Write to her and let her know if she changes her stroke she could get far more pleasure. Get real, lame brain. Oh, and are you making your Carnegie debut soon? And who do you study with at Mannes, Manhattan or Juilliard? Oh, God forbid, you must be at Yale. Remind me I'm having Helene Grimaud over to my apartment that night. Can't make it.

[UBeeware]

@argerichluvr LOL!!

I would know that potty mouth anywhere!!

☺

[argerichluvr]

@UBeeware, BRENDON, you're not funny and I'm NOT the one who brought up Nadja's vibrato and masturbation. And I would know your ignorance anywhere. I truly resent you, your remarks and your stalking me. I'm on this site to discuss music and not be victim of some angry lying fool like you. Examine your own language for God's sake. Why don't you stick to what you know and stop bothering me? And let's leave your comments out of this forum. We don't need people like you spouting nothing of value.

[UBeeware]

@argerichluvr LOL!!

I'm not here to argue with you David. STALKING??

.*. *.* .*. *.* .*. *.* .*. *. *. *.

I made these two comments, AFTER you subscribed to my channel.

Why you did that.. God only knows? But I have now unsubscribed you from my channel and blocked you.

So, Get over yourself.. And don't contact me.. Simple Aye.

STALKER!!

☺

[argerichluvr]

@UBeeware Come on, let's talk. I'm still hacked from that insane note that you or someone sent me awhile back where it showed one the nazis or wannabees going nuts and you supporting him despite your atheism. And I DID NOT join your site after your sending two messages. I joined months ago but not after two messages on 9/3;can we clear this up or do you to hell with it?

[lekmioas]

At the risk of taking all the scorns and bitching in my opinion what Nadja does is nothing but musical masturbation. She does whatever she feels like doing in every given moment. I do not enjoy the absolute impulsiveness of her delirious playing. Her purpose is to differ and break away from tradition but it ain't nothing but exhibitionism to me. I don't like her soul.

[tangnatalaga]

I agree with you but I don't like it because she never reached orgasm even tho the music is so long.

[argerichluvr]

@tangnatalaga - Funny reply. Sometimes it takes awhile. Especially if you're nervous.

[UBeeware]

@argerichluvr P.S.

Not meant as an insult.. ☺

[argerichluvr]

@lekmioas - And I'm guessing you could use some practice on your masturbatory technique. What she does is called impulse and having accompanied in Dorothy Delay's studio both at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and at Juilliard, Dorothy pushed for that. Yes, maybe Nadja can take it to extremes, but when YOU make your Carnegie Hall debut masturbating, I will take a cross town bus just to hear you. Fair? Oh, and you've met her soul? Is it filled with demons and Star Trek characters?

[heiwalove]

there is no one like her.  she breaks my heart every time.

[coalminergroupie]

I absolutely LOVE to watch an artist who can bring out all the emotion from within and transfer it to instrument like that. She's simply incredible.

[Malafede122112]

You can pick Nadia out of the crowd on the first couple of notes. Plays like an opera singer (sings). Violin the way I like it.

And she's hot.

[adramatictheme]

absolutely. I just saw her perform tonight, flawlessly beautiful. I think I have a new crush!

[sammyenn]

@Malafede122112 I hate that she's not more highly regarded. I asked my violin teacher, "Is she good?" He said, "In general, professional musicians don't regard her as a professional." I think she's incredible. My most favourite violinist. Her live recording of Tchaik. Concerto is unbelievable.

[gawgul]

@sammyenn ouch, such a comment coming from the violin teacher makes me even more leary of "a professional." Can't remember the last time "a professional" played half as good as Nadja!

[tarantellaonline]

After all these years, Nadja still holds a special place in my heart. Sadly there are not too many of her CD around. Never mind, CD has come to its own demise already.

[nccosf]

Nadja's got a new CD with the New Century Chamber Orchestra! It's called Together and features works by Piazzolla, Assad, Bartok, and Gershwin. It's available at Amazon, CDBaby, and Barnes & Noble.

[16924fps]

Nadja and I lived across the street from each other when we were kids. She has always been an amazing musician and a great person. She has a wonderful sense of humor and a pretty good throwing arm. She's the best.

[dropsoffaith]

I love you Nadja!

[gergsar]

sadly beautiful...as only Nadja can....