Joshua Bell

[winrx]

Really, that was just plain awful. I mean, Vengerov likes to indulge in these kind of stage acrobatics but at least he gets RESULTS!

[jantigercat]

I love to see musicians perform with casual street clothes. It makes them more accessible to the public. :-)

[mrsherman109]

where is this?

[skipperdoll13]

He's so expressive when he plays. I love it! :)

[scnlife]

he moves too much, but plays amazing. I love this piece

[funkandgroovin]

omg, so intimate with the music and his instrument along with performers. he will never cease to amaze me

[Adilson2522519]

Magnífico!!!

[Ajisathespian]

he is AMAZING!!! i love him!!

[ewudog]

he makes it look so freaking easy.

[gnatural]

cause it is lol

[ElenisCellin]

he's so violent!!!! hot... haha

[SpanishEyedDesi]

<3

i love him.

[mrausar]

I'm scared his violin might break!!!

[jaffanneshortydog]

I totally love this piece

Minus a bit of the movement. I`m a vionist and I`ve never seen someone move so much. He`s right up there with Angele Dubeau And La Pieta:)

[btlin4096]

He is trying to get some exercise :)

[JustinK078]

damn! He really gets into it!!!

[stradplayer614]

I didnt know he was a dancer aswell lol

[mixailaggelos2004]

A typican violinist..nothing special and surely not compared to great performers such as Perlman, Heifetz, Kogan, Vengerov, and even Hilary Hahn...

watch out Kyung wha Chang performance of the Bruch and u ll see what passion in music means..(surely not moving up and down lol)

[dragonhidepker]

hes sounding really good

[chiiijenny]

well i don't mind...

as long as he's really good at playing the music

and he's really good i mean he's really into the music =)

[BlackViolinist]

I am totally sitting in the 2nd violin in this rehearsal and I can tell you this rehearsal was better than our performance. lol

[shmeare111]

I think I get the best impression of Joshua bell when I don't watch him play- just listening to him is good enough for me :)

[katherinefrankflo]

ahh i was there!

it was amazing!

[shahpari70]

people can say anything they want, but I will always aspire to his level of talent. It appears that these other viewers (based on their comments) are failing to make the distinction between style and *talent.*

[bountyhanz]

Aren't he tired doing so much movement??

[bountyhanz]

Aren't he tired doing so much movement??

[mmmgjl]

He thrashes around a little to much for me, but I noticed that he very rarely plays any notes out of tune (not really at all here). I also really enjoy his interpretation- really great player!

[effrum12345]

@mmmgjl Say whoever you want is the best player - but I really do think he has the best tuning of everyone one I have ever heard.

[NGUSchoolofMusic]

@mmmgjl finally, someone who gets it!!! Thank you!!!!

[rkotcher]

really great

[curlyman217]

i actually agree with shades of gray. i think that his talent is best acquitted for corny songs that were made into violin and orchestra songs, much like andre rieu. he just cant stand up to the greats, and i understand the argument from both sides, but i think it is unnecessary to bash other people's opinions. i'm entitled to mine, he's entitled to his, and your entitled to yours

[battleblades]

Shadesm shut up. Can you play better than bell? I don't think so.

[TheAFI]

Haha, there's like some person yelling in the background.

[bassman0202]

That would be maestro Effron, the conductor. Notice they are in rehearsal.

[Zigeunerweisen]

I was sitting in the second row of this rehearsal that morning. In the first movement his frog nicked the rib of his violin. I remember he sort of "AAHG!"-ed and all of us in the audience took in a quick inhale of shock! "The Strad!" BMC 4EVER!

[hersheysrulez]

umm what number of is it shown thats real shocken

[Zigeunerweisen]

Uh? What are you asking?

[pinkalicious93]

I think he's great! Yes he does move heaps but if he wants to express his feelings through movements why shouldn't he? Plus i love this movt. I hate the 1st two movts of the concerto though

[SpoonsForks]

He is horrible. I don't know why everoyne lieks him so much ew hes gross why would u want to watch this why??? i had to sit through one of these horrible performances for an etire day i almost killed myself please shoot me if i have to watch this again

[vladxxthexximpaler]

what do you think is so bad? his interpretation of it? whether you like his particular style in this piece or not, he is NOT horrible. He can play things that many violinists can't even dream of playing, he is a true virtuoso. Am I detecting a bit of jealousy?

[Zigeunerweisen]

I understand your point of view and I tend to agree with you, but give him a little credit. It was a cold morning rehearsal outside and around 9:30 in the morning. He was supposed to play the Barber concerto but switched a few weeks out. I think I would have rather heard that...every student and their mother is always playing the Bruch. But I like it nonetheless.

[sidonie3]

So why don't you shoot yourself, already? You'd be doing us a favor.

[LevonCoates]

Haha! "'great' or 'good'. In the end, they don't mean anything in the world of performing arts."

What the hell are you on about?

You have Joshua Bell; who possesses a thin, one-dimensional sound, and mediocre interpretation - and then you have the timeless Perlman, and the unbelievably virtuoso Vengerov. Give me a break. Not everything is subjective in music.

Vengerov is already in the Heifetz league; Joshua Bell is NOTHING.

[vladxxthexximpaler]

Why is everyone so against Joshua Bell? What do you mean his sound and interpretations are mediocre? Honestly, just because you prefer another persons style does not give you the right to make up lies about how bad someone is, when clearly they are not, I mean personally, I don't like Perlman at all, but I still acknowledge that he is very talented. You all need to grow up.

[tennisplayer112889]

Why is everyone for Heifetz? Washed up piece of shit.

[calebmwebb]

What an ignorant thing to say...but I guess that's just who you are, so you woulnd't know any better.

[prp134]

I'm just amazing by his technique and I wouldnt go as far as calling him the best but he is one great violinist. However, the thing that sometimes bothers me is that he moves way too much to the point I get distracted by his movement and stop listening to the music.

[obstante]

I went to IU, and had the opportunity to meet Josh as well as his mom, Shirley and his dad. I actually had dinner with his parents just a few days b4 his dad passed away...a few comments...his violin is sounding better and better...is that Mr. Effron conducting? Looks like it...Great playing!!!

[rosinitup87]

I agree... too much unnecessary movement...very distracting.

[bobaskripka]

just listen to his Aranjuez, and you'll see what's good and emotional ! and please, who are you to say how bad is his playing?

[signingupagain]

seriously. shut up. until you can play like him you have no right to say how bad he is.jeez, it makes me mad just reading this junk...

[Shades2Of1Grey]

That's my point. I can play like him. Unlike Vengerov or Perlman or Heifetz. I CAN play as well as Bell.

[VegSXEBassist]

Wow this guy is overrated he's supposed to be the best of our time?

He's good but Menuhin didn't die too long ago. (Not saying Menuhin is the best.)

I'm not saying this man isn't great, he is but he is supposed to be the best of our time, I can't agree with that.

[Shades2Of1Grey]

I agree. Calling Bell the best of our time is an insult to the true greats - Perlman, Vengerov... Bell is an upstart who wins awards A) because he's American, B) because he has a flashy image, C) because he puts himself forward. He's a pretty good violin player but no way is he the best of our time. Nor is he the "next Paganini/Heifetz/Perlman/Milst­ein/Ostraikh/Insert great violinist of your choice". He deserves commendation - but not the exorbitant praise he is heaped with now.

[WhiteElvenDragon]

He doesn't deserve condemnation. For what? He's great!

[Shades2Of1Grey]

*sigh* He is not 'great' he is merely good. He thinks he is 'great' as do many others. These others have never seen the true 'greats' - the Heifetz's or Perlman's or even the Vengerov's. Bell is overhyped and hasn't the technical capacity to carry off some of the great pieces - an example being his appalling rendition of the Ysaye Ballade.

[cello4ever]

I think there is no question that all of the 'greats' that you afore mentioned have something everyone else does not. Joshua Bell has a magical fairy-like tone quality that only he can produce. To put it succinctly, he is UNIQUE. Heifetz does plays Bach as it was written in the Romantic period, subduing his personality to the audience. Bell is doing the same thing.

[Shades2Of1Grey]

Ummm... Heifetz plays Bach well - as he plays everything else well. In fact, perfectly. Bach was a Baroque composer, not a Romantic one. I agree Bell is unique. He's just not very good. Everyone is unique, but some are better (be it technically or stylistically) than others.

[cello4ever]

His Bach is good-not perfect. There is much more than ear-pleasing harmonics and melodies which, in my opinion, Heifetz has only touched upon. I can't describe it in words, but please have a look at Glenn Gould or Rosalyn Tureck's performances of Bach. And while you're there, watch Tureck's explanation about Bach's music. It's very interesting.

[sidonie3]

I concur. Bell's sound and phrasing have moments of brilliance that have brought many young people into the literature. He has made his mark.

[SpoonsForks]

i like to dance

[cello4ever]

And next time you try to critique an artist or anything for that matter, please propose an explanation opposed to using vague adjectives such as 'great' or 'good'. In the end, they don't mean anything in the world of performing arts.

[Shades2Of1Grey]

Your wish is my command. Quite simply put, Bell's technique is not up to par with the best; Vengerov, Perlman, or even Shaham -- he tries to compensate by moving a lot. His sound, compared to say Hilary Hahn, is that he almost always plays with the side of the bow hair; 100% of the time.

If he ever records Paganini, the treacherous solo sonatas of Ysaye, or the impossibly difficult Shchedrin Echo Sonata, or the more difficult works of Wieniawski, all of which Vengerov has done,

[Shades2Of1Grey]

then and only then, , will I even consider

him to be an accomplished violinist.

I never figured out why anyone was crazy about him. I would not class him as anywhere near virtuoso.

He moves a lot, sometimes bordering on the excessive. If you actually close your eyes, it affects his sound tremendously; you can feel the uneven swinging and swaying. This is unlike Vengerov; if you study his recordings carefully, you will find that, although he moves lots, his movements make musical sense.

[Shades2Of1Grey]

But the real difference is that they certainly do not affect his flawless technique and sound production. In conclusion, Bell is an accomplished talent, but when you compare him to the best, he's out of his league, especially in the tonal department. He has a lean, somewhat one-dimensional sound. This is compared to Maxim Vengerov, who has a 50-dimensional arsenal, with different timbres and personalities and tonal qualities.

[NejiHyuuga777]

That's a really long post :P.

[sidonie3]

All this may be true, but Bell's interpretation of Bruch has moments of real genius. He is having a good run lately. He'll be a tremendous teacher when the time comes.

[shadowbud17]

I would agree that perhaps he is not as good as Perlman, but the difference isn't as great as you make it sound. Within the last year I've heard Perlman, Bell, Sarah Chang, and Nicola Benedetti in concert, and of these my favorite was Bell. Perlman stll had the best sound, but Bell had the most enthusiastic quality. He's not overhyped so long as people don't start calling him the best ever.

[ErynSilver]

Why do you have to cut him down? It's not like anyone is making you listen to his music. It's just downright stupid to say that he isn't great. Have you no taste at all?

[moosatious]

Who is the conductor?

[curdles0]

he moves too much.

and ugh u can be expressive without showing everyone ur sex-face.

he's basically ~getting his swerve on~ with a piece of wood. uncomfortable 2 watch.

[Zhou9]

I agree to some extent, but I actually think that Joshua Bell can play some pieces very well. I don't think his technique is in the top 10 though.

[Shades2Of1Grey]

Agreed. He's not bad - his Beethoven's nice. But he is not amongst the real virtuosi of the past or even the top players of our time (arguably Perlman and Vengerov of those still living, with a few added here or there depending on preference).

[viola989]

thats exactly what i think. if you play really so good and emotional then you may move as much as you want! but him... sorry, but i think hes a clown!

[Wyleisha]

so i read the article pearls before breakfast from the Washington post for a class today and i had to look up Joshua bell and he really does move along with the music, i think it makes me want to listen more just to see him so into it because im not really one to listen to him but omg hes really good

[leiletta]

mmmmmm..not very in tune..!!

[sean4730]

so i definitely get to see him play this plus zigeunerweisen live with the eugene symphony in less than a month... SOO EXCITED!!! :)

[DarkZodiark]

see if u can get a vid of zigeunerweisen, I really want to see him play that. your soooo lucky!!

[vladxxthexximpaler]

So...what is this piece?

[sonata1992]

The finale of Max Bruch's violin concerto in G minor.

[bengaleyes]

It's funny to see him giving his back to the 'audience' though... everything happens in a rehearsal. He is great indeed!

[violinprincess311]

I LOVE JOSHUA BELL, HE'S THE BEST!!

[lkmbryan]

Man, if this isnt good wat is???

[aljsmith]

EFFFFFFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR­OOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN best conductor EVER

[govibe]

can't believe how out of tune that is...

[popster57]

um, it is in tune...what part did you think wasn't?

[govibe]

all of it is out of tune.

[vladxxthexximpaler]

...are you kidding me? do you honestly think that joshua bell would not notice if he were out of tune? if he were he would quickly correct it...and this is almost perfectly in tune.

[govibe]

his intonation isn't as good as hilary hahn's

[georgiehenley]

uh...the intonation is very near to perfection.....except the part when he plays the 10ths

[govibe]

his intonation is not as good as hilary hahn

[adamshore11]

Yeah he's amazing. I totally love him. I saw him at a Montreal concert, playing Bruch and I touched him ! wow, he's sooo tall. And so intense. I LOVE JOSHUA BELL !

[artboy55]

genius at work so exciting to watch. hard to believe only one person in the d.c subway recognized him.

[viola15891]

OMG I WAS THERE THAT SAME TIME AND DAY!!! DUDEEE!!! phenomenal concert! and I have a vid of him playing the encore he did at the end of the concert later that day (red violin) MAN! I saw my head in that vid! lol I love josh bell. He was our youth orch's roomie in college!!

want to know something funny?

I'm a violist :)

[popster57]

whoa same here, i'm a violist and my teacher is always yelling at me because im more in love with joshua bell than any violists

[kongming819]

HEYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS THERE THAT SAME DAY AND TIME!

I was sitting in the center...close to the front!

[plasticseraphim]

I've played this :) 'I' as in my school orchestra... I'm not a violinist. It's a fun and expressive piece. Reminds me of spring.

[sidonie3]

The concerto is about love's refusal to lay down and die. Listen!

[carolynkkh]

Thanks for posting this.