Leila Josefowicz - Bruch 1st Violin Concerto (part 2)

[trevorpinnocky]

there's no issue with the instrument. There's no limit to the sound you can pull from from a Guaneri.

[VioLynn0803]

Co-worker: So, what does your daughter do for a living?

Mr. Josefowicz: Oh, she's just the Goddess of Violin.

[jason101other]

She really pours her heart into this, and into all of her playing. But, she should get a better violin. I know it's a guarnerius, but it always sound muffled and diffuse. She really digs into the strings and yet often there's still not much sound coming out.

[Dogaradodia]

Leila Josefowicz - Miss Intergalactic! Go, Leila, go!

[moldyoreo]

Beautiful playing but I can't stand the ape faces she makes.

[winrx]

@moldyoreo lol She's unique in that she makes these sudden momentary grimaces which appear out of nowhere...

[dexterspe]

i prefer the version Perlman this concert!

[MrGunterguerrero]

She's very good. But there are light years between Leila to Zino Franscescatti !

[Scarognato1]

Troppe smorfie del volto forse alla ricerca dell'esasperazione tecnica dell'esecuzione.

Bisogna ascoltarla senza guardarla.

[OriginalMoonbeam]

This piece was a real rarity--it wasn't what I heard but what she made me feel in the depth of my soul. I have listened to so much violin music I thought I was immune--but this hit me like a silver bullet in the heart like I have not been struck in a VERY long time. I have heard THIS movement, played it...yet it was her rendition that transmits this overwhelming emotion that transcends the notes and penetrates beyond simple listening enjoyment. Again..hasn't happend for me in a long time..

[OriginalMoonbeam]

last time was Mintz playing Sibelius--thought I was going to fall out of my chair.

[hanjiangs]

Agree.

[OfGreatLakes]

@OriginalMoonbeam How one communicates can be as important as what they communicate. It's nice to know that others appreciate the music to this degree of depth and are willing to share their experience with other on the internet. In my opinion, that's a glimpse into the brighter side of humanity.

[tingchenchang]

@OriginalMoonbeam Totally agree with you!!

[OnAMushkin73]

I love the first and third movement. Hate this one. It isn't sweet or energizing. Listen to Zino Francescatti's version. Infinitely more passionate.

Of course, it is a very original interpretation. If you listen to the interview of her after the concert, she makes a point to state that she only cares about portraying her version of the piece and doesn't want to waste her time listening to other interpretations. Proud and rude? Or bold and focused?

[OriginalMoonbeam]

You are right--Zino's version is wonderful but this is just an opportunity to listen to another fantastic interpretation. Zino himself said he didn't want to listen to a lot of other artists recordings though he did go to their concerts--he didn't want to interfere with his own ideas (this was in the liner of a CD) and he was very humble.

[OriginalMoonbeam]

I think it is a matter of individually studying the composer and deciding for themselves what they feel the intent is and not wishing to be influenced by the recording of another. That 1953 recording of Zino's is absolutely stunning by the way--he was indeed a true master!

[zucchini2007]

I think I finally figured out why Leila made such agonizing expressions in this video...she did not have a shoulder support on her violin!! It's very painful playing without it because it puts your neck in an awkward position. I've tried it myself and it's just too painful playing without it.

I wonder why she chose to play without it. A violinist could get some serious neck injuries if they play without it for a long period of time.

[dagll]

That's rubbish. It's not painful. It shows you actually how to hold the violin properly- it's only painful when you PUSH up with neck and down with your chin. The facial expressions have nothing to do with the physical and subconscious side of playing, but probably just unique expressions that many people make when you get into the music.

[zucchini2007]

I'm a violinist myself, all of my comments are based on my personal experiences. It's painful for me playing without the shoulder rest, and it's probably painful for many other violinists as well.

[dagll]

I said it's painful if you hold it INCORRECTLY.The point about resonating-all top class soloists have a beautiful violin which resonates wonderfully.I am just disagreeing with the fact that it's painful,when holding correctly,nd that shoulder rests actually enhances the sound of the violin.Look at professional reviews and discussions about shoulder rests- they all wil say a shoulder rest is for support- not to hold the violin, and will all agree that the sound is, infact, slightly impeded.

[peanutbabe83]

Great performance. One of my favourite contemporary violinists. Her sound is very focused like Leonid Kogan. Her facial expressions are very passionate and shows the way she feels her music. Listen to the music instead of paying too much attention to her face ;) One of the greatest violinists today along with such as Hilary Hahn, Anne Sophie-mutter and Julia Fischer.

[zucchini2007]

I don't blame her for her facial expressions...this is a very challenging piece to play, just like any other violin concerto. I should know...I have the sheet music for this Bruch concerto, and I'm having a lot of trouble with phrasing, intonation, and especially tempo. I think Leyla is an excellent violinist!

[DrLuu1972]

Does anyone know what violin she is playing? Strad or Guarneri? It sounds so GOOD !

[metvany]

only perfectly i am a violinist and i can see that her technique is excelent

[mudidopolo]

Commenting on the 2nd. movement.

I can see what she feels, but I don't I hear it in her playing. Her badly synchronized and silly facial expressions never happen at the appropriate time and are therefor very distracting to watch. Does anybody think they support the music? Or does is destroy it's dignity?

[PolyChromaticTone]

It is a rare thing to find someone who plays half that well, but even more rare is someone that plays half that well that DOES NOT have these so called "silly facial expressions." For her to start focusing on REMOVING thos expressions would also mean a distraction from her good performance. It's a common thing, it's a necessary thing, and A GOOD THING! Get used to it, EMBRACE IT!

[pcyep]

tthe second movement is played beautifully, howver the saem cannot be said about the first and third! If you want to see those performed with real fire and panache, look no further than the kyung wha chung version on here, she is for me one of the greatest violinists if not the greatest violinist alive today.

[enoquemeireles]

This is not funnier expressions,this violinist plays this concerto like an angel,I love her virtuosity power.I heard she two yars ago,when she played Shostakovich first violin concerto in São Paulo (Brazil),and I would like to say that she was... wonderful.

[tennisplayer112889]

Rofl...its almost as if she wants to say "Am I playing this right?"...and yes...I will say...I love your interpretation...but its so hard for me to enjoy it while laughing. Don't doubt yourself if that's what you're possibly doing. I love it.

[pelahustan31416]

eS GENIAL

[CalllMeEric]

seems you have got the "thumbs down" for bad orthographics :)

[Sunnyratty]

ha ha...I've never seen funnier facial expressions...oh well, if it makes her feel better...

[Dogaradodia]

Ha-ha... I think Kyung Wha Chung is her teacher.

[rob333c]

why not do a face like that you see many people who play classical all have there own expressions including me this tells me she is feeling the music and how the composer would like to play it.

[Sunnyratty]

I agree that all players should and do have their own facial expressions, as long as it adds to the music. However, I thinks it's wrong when the expressions deflect or distract you from the music. That's my opinion, anyway.

[PolyChromaticTone]

Well, in my opinion, the expressions do not deflect or distract you from the music in any way, shape or form. Anyways, now, THAT'S MY opinion,

[tovinho]

oh, and the part you called 4 is the complete third movement.

[tovinho]

they stop playing between the second and third movements. you split the second mov. in two.

[Klautenbogg]

There is no logic continuity in Leila's play.

She tries hard to stick the notes one to the other.

I prefer by far Frederieke Saeijs's performance of the Bruch Concerto which is natural and profound, much more mature. Besides, it is refined.

[CalllMeEric]

well, there are so many scales on which to mesure a performance, isn't it...

yes, "she tries hard to stick the notes one to the other" (as is her DUTY, Dude! :) )

you forgot to mention that she also Succedes in that task :))

[Therearemen16]

i think she plays this way too fast and makes it sound so much more sappy than it needs to be....the slides are too much some of the timing extreme....i feel nothing when i watch this

[ichliebegeige]

I do not like her.

[ChicagoMafia1]

Ich: Why don't you like her ???

[ichliebegeige]

I think she is too aggressive, she doesn´t make me feel anything..

She plays like if she doesn´t love the violin. She shows no passion, and no feelings. Just strength, with violence...this is why I do not like her.

[ichliebegeige]

And in my opinion, her technique is not very good...

[roadwarrior1981]

Don't worry. Perhaps someday you will have a better understanding of the violin and you will be able to look back and laugh at how ridiculous you were by saying she doesn't have good technique.

[xxx181278]

I'm agree. There are too much spillovers and aggressive playing without powerfull and big sound unfortunately. It's really great concerto, love V.Tretiakov recording.

[moonkasnow]

heeeyyy your nick means: i love violin?

hehe :D

[lovetheviolin]

yes it does

[pfosten87]

not always in tune, but apart from that little point a fantastic performance

[scottbos68]

thank you for noticing that, i didnt think it wasnt very clean either especially in the 3rd movement

[tenolamacintosh]

Excellent!!!