Hilary Hahn plays Bach!
If you have read my Blog for a while, then you know how much I admire Hilary Hahn as a performer, and as a person. While she was a YAV (Young American Violinist), I had the opportunity to hear her at several venues in California, and I always admired her musical feeling, her flawless violin technique, her phrasing, and her love for Bach.
This album contains the Violin Concerti in A Minor & E (BWV 1041 & 1042 respectively), the Double Concerto (BWV 1043), and the Oboe & Violin Concerto (BVW 1060). Bach wrote these pieces for the solo instrument(s), a small string section, and a harpsichord. As always, Hahn plays beautifully; her love for the music is evident from the moment she begins, and she displays it with a rich tone and great interpretive skill. And the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, led by keyboardist/conductor Jeffrey Kahane, play with energy, skill, and a real sense of enjoyment.
The tracks are:
• Violin concert No. 2 in E
• Concerto for 2 violins
• Concerto No. 1 in A-Minor
• Concerto for 2 Harpsichords, Strings, and Continuo in C minor, BWV 1060 – Arr. for violin, oboe strings & continuo
The Double Concerto (BWV 1043) is really wonderful. Hilary Hahn and second violinist Margaret Batjer are terrific in their performance of the first and third movement. The Largo ma non Tanto movement is phenomenal, as one violin plays the musical line and the other violin supports in a way that makes the music even more enjoyable! I have memories of playing this piece with my father over 50 years ago…
The Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Continuo in C minor, BWV 1060 is also terrific! Oboist Allan Vogel achieves wonderful, musical and sensitive sound, and makes a perfect musical partner for Ms. Hahn.
Here is a video of Hilary, talking about… and playing Bach:
Tags: Bach, Hilary Hahn, violin, concerto, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Kahane