Ori Kam Bartok Concerto

[thisismikestanley]

intonation man. regardless, its a very strong interpretation, one of the few that i've heard which seem to really present the first movement as a united whole

[100violinista]

you are a genius!!! beautiful playing!!!

[kzt333]

is this available on cd?

[powerofalto]

A beautifully projected tone and strong intonation. A thought: as with Bartok's music in general, there are very specific metronome markings throughout. These markings inform the character of the music and, by extension, the sound world that Bartok intends. While it makes sense to bend time at the beginning, the tempo in this reading is slower than that stipulated by the composer. Perhaps the reading would benefit less from a re-examination of vibrato than a re-examination of tempo?

[violaAfficionado]

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Bartok did not compose this piece. The piece was constructed by Bartok's friend and assistant Tibor Serly after Bartok's death, based on Bartok's sketches. Serly took some liberties, and was not always true to Brtok's sketches.

There is a newer version of the concerto, which claims to be more true to Bartok's sketches. Personally I find it works as a musicological thesis, but the old version works much better as a performance piece.

[violaAfficionado]

My point is that not everything in the score should be treated with the same degree of respect. I find it helpful to look at Bartok's sketches (available in the new version) to figure out what one can take liberty with, and what should be treated as Bartok's wishes.

[powerofalto]

Thank you for you perspective, violaAfficionado. I too have had a chance to study the Bartok/Dellamaggiore revision, and spent (admittedly just) an hour looking at a facsimile of the score as left by B. Bartok. (My own copy of the revised edition does not contain the facsimile.) While there's no way around the fact that the piece is only partly Bartok's, I still hold to my initial impression of this performance: attention to tempo (a more horizontal approach) will awaken the character.

[bcjohnson3]

I can't remember the exact citation, but there is a great article in music theory literature about the "Fallacy of Intention".. this is the same debate about orchestras tuning up or down for historical accuracy, tempi in Beethoven's symphonies, Baroque performance practice, on and on... ultimately if the artist is compelled by a new interpretation (tempo, candenzas, play a passage up an octave, etc) I say go for it.

[bcjohnson3]

(part 2 read below first) Personally I LIKE being able to hear all the notes in this performance. I like the crispness and courage of it. I know I've played in many orchestras where soloists hide their flaws in a faster tempo, or by playing under the orchestra. Not so here, kudos.

A wise viola professor once told me "well, you can play that slower if you want, but only after you prove to me you can play it accurately at the faster tempo" haha she caught me!

[warwurm21]

wow. Awesome altist. thx for sharing. Do you have the rest of it ?

[ThoughtTravel]

... it is a mystery why someone would only post a partial piece ...and not the sequal. It is not as if this poor audio quality clip could possibly be resold commercially .. and yet the performance grabs the listener so much one wants to hear it out ... Now, if someone has the original, and can offer a DVD for sale, I would understand.; but that is not what we have. Now, about we all start clapping in unison until someone posts the rest of this!? ;) :))

[Chaneechan]

I love this interpretation. thanks!

[ravelmeister]

awesome...he structures the whole mvt. so well i wish there was more...and all the characters are awesome

[Brujicitititito]

thats how a man should play a viola. mjm

[sheepbird]

i think he uses too much vibrato on this piece he loses some of hits haunting feel

[altonoir]

Well, I think the vibrato is matched with wonderful phrasing. The opening is great! The timing and spacing is good!

[sheepbird]

most vibrato im talking about happens before a 1:35 after that it gets better but, even though the phrasing is great the vibrato is stil over done

[altonoir]

i see! mysterious with less vibrato in the beginning and then increase the speed as the piece calls for it! hmmm...finger rather than wrist vibrato maybe?...All is all he has incredible left hand technique and his interpretation does not come off as "labored" playing in contrast to what I usually hear! I always learn from these debates or rather discussions!

[sheepbird]

yes i agree completely =)

[brubratsche]

muito bom

[incasmaya]

Dopo 1.30 la voglia di distruggere il computer è grande...

[altovocce]

One big helluva musician. Deep understanding of the musical content and shows the most how a viola should sound and be played. Ops, sorry

gtg practice!!!!

[bckm54]

Ori Kam and Rachel Barton Pine would make an incredible viola/violin duo, wouldn't they? Two such extremely talented young musicians bode well for the future of classical music.

[ThoughtTravel]

Beautiful. Thank you for your post. Would it be possible to include the DATE of the performance in the "About this Video?" And, of course, can you post the rest in increments?

[SDESCOTE]

seems effortless. this is one of my favorite pieces, and so far my favorite rendition-- thank you!