Pinchas Zukerman on James Ehnes

http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/whatson/results.cfm?EventID=5846

The Amazing Ehnes Plays Prokofiev
NACO: Bostonian Bravo Series
20 May 2010 - 21 May 2010

Mark Wigglesworth, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 2
HAYDN Symphony No. 90

Manitoba native James Ehnes claimed the "triple-crown" in 2008, winning Grammy, Juno, and Gramophone awards. Hell play one of only a handful of exceptional 20th century violin concertos. (Dont be surprised to hear castanets in this Russian work it was premiered in Spain.) Haydns 90th Symphony also has a surprise: a 4-measure rest for the whole orchestra before this sparkling piece comes to a conclusion. So hold your applause until the real end!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Pinchas
• Zukerman
• National
• Arts
• Centre
• Orchestra
• Ottawa
• Canada

[violinhunter2]

Zukerman is not terribly articulate but, on the other hand, music is impossible to describe with words. If we could describe the Mozart Jupiter with words, we would not need to listen to it. What can one say about music performance? It is either good or bad or straightforward - meaning playing without histrionics? Berlioz and Schumann were good with words but Zukerman, I don't know.

[yocreo]

I love that kind of "perfection".... gives LIGHT TO MY EARS!!! At the end what is sound but a kind of light.

[msiu]

@amazinglazedonut Actually I think it's a very interesting word choice; I think he's mixing high praise with a tiny tiny bit of criticism. To me Ehnes' playing is really perfect, everything is just right and it's almost too perfect to the point of being fault, if that makes any sense. Almost too "straightforward". There're players who are less capable overall, but with more interesting ideas here and there.

[yscslim]

lol funny speeches

[amazinglazedonut]

Straight forward indeed. Straight forward = -Straight backward. I haven't listened to much of Pinchas's performances, but I hope his musical lexicon is less limited and "straight forward" than his linguistic. What a disappointment to see someone who deals with music, people and expression so ineptly describe a phenomenal musician.