Ilya Kaler plays Sibelius Violin Concerto 1985 - MVT III

[jason101other]

He's okay. Doesn't stand out to me. I don't like what he's doing with those unisons though...I'm used to hearing a straight not there, not vibrato.

[Florestan1000]

Great Violinist . Bravissimo maestro!!!

[bertxo]

Very fast vibrato!!

[violacrb]

Love the hair.

[takhirviolinest]

the best version of Sibelius concerto

[Beeffyviolin]

He cheats!! He doesn't play the unisons at 2:00 and 5:33. Not like I really care... he pretty much nails everything else. And those unisons for some reason are a bitch and only a very small percentage of people are going to notice anyway... so he probably just said "fuck it"....

[McSplat]

flawless

[dkurgano]

@McSplat

I don't think so...he does a single note so that he can vibrate it and make it beautiful. The unisons aren't very difficult afterall....but I prefer the more vocal effect.

[shosudon3005]

この方の演奏が視れるなんて、大感激です！

[brother234]

spaghetti fingers

[jebatarjunakee]

wow, his fingers are totally far off from being sausage fingers! gives me hope! haha.

[themusicdr]

the sibelius is one of the best VC out there i find it incredible that anyone could find it unappealing. it has emotin and passion and great musicality.

excellent playing here

[calloffthedogs]

perfect tempo! not too fast. I like that he doesnt rush. real solid player.

[GeniusHaydn]

This is really a great piece of music.

[3474312]

What happened at 1:47-48?

[GeniusHaydn]

Musically, I find the Sibelius VC not that appealing. I can think of a dozen more intriguing than his.

[xPatriarch]

like?

[GeniusHaydn]

Mendelssohn's, Schumann's, Bruch VCs, Brahms, Tchai., Wieniawski VCs, Joachim VC2, Hubay VCs, Vieuxtemps VCs, Dvorak, Lalo Sym. Espagnole, Saint-Saens VCs, Karlowicz , etc. It's not that I don't enjoy Sibelius VC, it's just not a favorite of mine. It's still a great piece.

[xPatriarch]

Wasehhhhhh

I find the Sibelius concerto very different from those violin concertos. Maybe it's just me though cuz I've played it. Which is your fav 2nd (slow) mvmnt from any violin concerto? For me it's Sibelius.

[GeniusHaydn]

Sibelius has a good 2nd mvt. That's a tough one, 2nd mvt. favorites, Mendelssohn, Bruch VC1&3, Brahms, Tchai., Vieuxtemps No. 5 (exceptional how it moves to 3rd mvt.), Saint-Saens No.3, Korngold/Goldmark's are very good. Too many to list, that's just romantic period. Check-out Karlowicz VC here on the tube it's a great unknown work. Deserves recognition.

[GeniusHaydn]

Kaler is really good. Love his Tchai., Ysaye & Dvorak on Naxos.

[Draziw777]

A agree with you. My favorite is also 2nd mvt. of Wieniawski no.2.

And the begining of second movement D major Paganini concerto

[GeniusHaydn]

Also, check-out on the tube Joo Young , age 14, do Vieuxtemps No.5 - 2nd & 3rd mvt. Think you might enjoy it.

[maxhansendk]

Heifetz thought Sibelius Violin concerto was a masterpiece!

So do I! :-)

I am afraid I do not have much more then that in common with the great Jasha Heifetz!

[maxhansendk]

Excellent stuff! Much better then Vengerov!

Still, some violinists have more to give on this piece! Hilary Hahn is better.

And the real master is Christian Ferras! If you listen to Ferras version (Mehta conductor) you need not listen to anyone else!

[xPatriarch]

I also think Ferras has the "definitive" recording of this concerto. His 2nd movement is simply outstanding.

[yellotheemcee]

no real master is oistrakh

[violatione]

Kaler is better than Oistrakh.

[Freshmanwave]

Kaler makes it look and sound so effortless. Kudos to the guy.

[yukily07]

A sensuous Sibelius. Best performance I've ever heard after Oistlakh's.

[OriginalMoonbeam]

I love this performance--I recently discovered his Ysaye sonata CD and it has become my favorite.

[hayyu2008]

WOW

[Brikisses]

actually, no, I'm wrong... this is actually more sensual.

[calloffthedogs]

his intonation is perfect. very difficult piece. I think it is easy to rush this piece which is a mistake, particularly at the beginning.

[Brikisses]

too slow.

[yukily07]

M. Kaler seems more sophiscated and more exact than Oistrakh, although the latter still remains for me the best of all time.

[calloffthedogs]

First Rate performance. Kaler is a front line violinist. No weaknesses. This is an early performance - his sound is very mature and he really listens to the orchestra. Occasionally there are loose ends in terms of soloist/orchestral "togetherness" when young virtuosi play. Not here. Kaler is listening to the orchestra.

[violatione]

But seriously that is how violin is done.

[violatione]

It's a great hairstyle Kissin copyed it

[shirusubemonaku]

i don't really like this hairstyle, he'll definitely look much hotter after changing his hairstyle

[dxhaloxc]

he has a very strong and solid sound.

[yomommacello]

wow... I just noticed that I've met Ilya Kaler and his son (a cellist) a million times at performance class without knowing how famous Mr. Kaler was...

jesus I'm a freaking moron.

[sublmbadfish]

His son is a violinist.

[cdpiano27]

No wonder why he won all three competitions!! Absolutely outstanding!!! Can't be done better, except by Heifetz.

[fiddlinmatt]

everyone has their own opinion. I really like this performance, but have you seen Oistrahk's vid on here. You ought to check it out if you haven't already.

[violatione]

Heifetz does NOT play this piece better. He misses all over the place.

[dkurgano]

they are very different violinists ;)

[stronzinetto]

totally agree with you....he has the great power to go inside music,listen to Ysaye from him,just amazing! i think it's time to stop thinking that the Oistrach,Stern,Szering,Heifetz etc. will be the best forever...

[violatione]

For real! Now I don't hold it against Heifetz that modern players play this piece better. Heifetz learned this piece as an adult while the soloist of today start this piece at age 10 or 11.

[dkurgano]

this is not true. Heifetz learned all of the major concertos in his early teens (played tchaikovsky sensationally by age 12 by many accounts)

I do see your point, though, that today children begin to learn this big rep at a very young age (and learn it badly almost all of the time). People like Heifetz were anomalies

[DrLuu1972]

I like the way he plays, very calm not too much facial gestures or body movements that could be a distraction to the audience...I recently heard his great performance of Bach's sonatas and partitas for solo violin on Naxos. Just noble, outstanding and fine tones! Need I say more?

[jiaweii89]

impeccable technique, amazing fluid sound and mature sense of musicianship! bravissimo!

[jghamm]

he seems to be very nervous!!i would have been too!!! But well done, frat job!

[devilsviolinist]

He has definitely done one of the three great recordings of this concerto.

[musique55]

WOW! Love this!!

[tksutube]

Just beautiful! Thanks for posting!!!

[anniepenns]

dkurgano: Thank you so much for taking the time to post these for us.

Stunning...

[policewah]

Does anyone know what violin he uses?

I have his Paganini recording and I like his tone alot!

[dkurgano]

for the Paganini recording he used a violin by Rudolf Doetsche

He now plays on a violin by Joseph Curtin

[devilsviolinist]

The tone is the violinist more than the violin.

[musique55]

yes! thank you! eventually, someone agrees with me :-)

[devilsviolinist]

Any violinist ought to know that, or anyone, for that matter. But, alas, usually the ones with the most sense are the ones that are least listened to. For instance, just give a strad to Perlman and then to a 6-year-old and see if there is a difference, not to say that the violin doesn't make a difference, but it is only a small one. And a strad is not particularly better than anything else of that quality; its just easier to play. :-)

[musique55]

yes, I already know about all these. and yes, every one (every violinist) hast to know that, but you will be surprised to know a majority does not know! well, I am not referring to the pro ones of course.

[johntomfoolery]

also, a great violin assists in producing a powerful tone as lesser violins tend to break in sound/tone when asked to do too much. for example, one can play nearly on top of the bridge of a great strad or del gesu and pull a powerful sound without cracking.

[fiddlinmatt]

Well, I'd have to say it depends on the instrument. I've gone instrument perusing at some of the more high end shops where I live (Chicago area) and some of their better violins (not strads or del gesus) you could pull a huge sound out of them, some right up to the bridge and others actually a little closer to the middle/fingerboard. It also depends on the player's approach to the instrument of course... Such an interesting topic.

[lovesGenet]

wellFrancescatti recordings still fave.Heifetz is as always.Oistrakh force of nature.Kaler is good but personality not as big as these giants.Hahnas a child and them later recording is magnificent.Ideas and music.saw the ferras here was surprised.Hated 1st tempo movand inter.I cant imagine Mutter playing this.Did elman and Neveu record or live tape .

[daniluzzu]

Try to search here this same movement performed by Lisa Batiashvili, another force of nature to check out! ;)

[tyKi27]

when he plays quickly every note is perfect and completely in time...not playing some notes longer than others in his fast runs but perfectly even...it is absolutely perfect...it makes me depressed LOL...it is breathtaking...I don't understand why until only about 5 months ago when I saw these clips on youtube I hadn't heard of Ilya Kaler...I think it's safe to say I have a new favorite player

[piasec11]

If you think this is good, try listening to Anne-Sophie Mutter. Her rendition is very powerful and moving

[AznLanceLord]

It's good but I like Heifetz's better.

[tyKi27]

Let me tell you a little bit about Ilya Kaler...for xmas I got his Ysaye album...lol...this man brings a whole new level to this instrument...I have not heard a better recording/live performance of these in my life...and whats more astounding is that this seems to be one of maybe a few CD's he has ever made...

[leicam6]

This music piece is so beautiful and his playing is so beautiful. What a lucky man to be able to play like that. I wish I could.

[cfeAncient]

He plays this piece so well he makes is look easy.

[milkamilka3]

Bravo

[smegmadood]

..great bow technique.The Finnish Radio orchestra under Jorma P.Great combination

[zebatida]

Look at Silvia Marcovici's rendition of this concerto!! She plays magnificently!

[cleopatra11]

I like it!

[GreatPianists]

A great performance of this concerto. His vibrato is rather wide, though, and intonation is sometimes on the flat side (somewhat masked by the vibrato).

He's definitely got his own style.

[ooziemac10]

i agree. however, being flat is as off intonation-wise as being sharp, but somehow we accept being sharp more in-tune than flat.

[mrrobertbates]

This guy has fantastic left hand frame!  He frames it "like the police", as my violin teacher likes to say.

[ssjh1146]

Bravo

[theitheitheithei]

wtf?!?!

[LoveEverlasting]

I just love watching his vibrato... And I love LISTENING to his vibrato xP Very good. The only noticeable mistake was when his bow failed once. I'm not sure what happened, but other than that it was REALLY good =D

[noleno]

awesome guy. next heifetz? he plays really good.

[viola989]

its just great, but sometimes he overstretches his 4th finger! but great sound, super intonation, and every not can be heard brilliantly!! i played that piece as an orchestra player, i love it!!!

[KoganSvetlanov]

Amazing violinist, I love his recordings of Shostakovich Concertos , Paganini Concertos 1 & 2 and caprices and specially the Dvorak Romanza...where's he performing right now ?? he's living in America no ?? Where does he teach ?? Just one more question, was he the last student of Yankelevicht ??

[kaikobird]

You can easily find out all those answers by searching on Google.

[LaMolinaria]

He teaches at Depaul University in Chicago.

[ABEL1840]

how do u know?, do u think if i travel there to see him, he will receive me?, he is paganini´s reencarnation, the first time i heard paganini´s concertos and caprices was from Mr:Kaler, i try to listen to others and i cant beard with it, so much difference, kaler is perfect on intonation, execution, and...and. ,...love him. his nose his like paganinis nose, check my videos, you will see.

[iameggselent]

what a weird conductor

[uasciazza]

the "weird conductor" is Jorma Panula, one of the great conducting pedagogue in the world. From his former student there was Esa Pekka Salonen, Jukka Pekka Saraste, Osmo Vanska, Sakari Oramo, Mikko Frank, and many more.

For that, he is called Maestro of Maestros.

[iSkylla]

Absolutely incredible. The speed was perfect.  Excellent!

[kostiq]

It's great!!!He is a first violin of London symphony

[dkurgano]

you are mistaken...he does not play in an orchestra

[smartalec84]

That's my friend's Dad.

[dkurgano]

that's my friend's dad too :)

[JimmyErnst]

Where is the first movement?

[dkurgano]

it is too long to post on youtube! (over 10 minutes). I don't know how to splice it into 2 halves. I use a Mac - if you can let me know how to do it, I would love to post it!

[ellegin88]

another arm vibrato! yes!

[cliffhanger001]

whoa

[fiddlephile]

Now that's the way to play the violin! Thanks for putting this up.

[adidas01003]

he looks like heifetz but with a slightly bigger fro...

[zviolin]

perfect !

[iemeve]

Thanks for putting this video!