Summary: On this special artist focus podcast, The Music of Masterworks features violinist Joshua Bell breaking down his work on the Academy-award winning film "The Red Violin" and the new John Corigliano album and composition "The Red Violin Concerto." A recent amazon.com customer review ... Five SPECTACULAR Stars!! A marvelous, dramatic live premier performance by the violinist and orchestra and a mesmerizingly adventurous performance by the violinist & pianist duo!! The last time they met, Grammy-award winning violin virtuoso Joshua Bell joined forces with the brilliant classical composer John Corigliano on the soundtrack to the François Gira film "The Red Violin" and it won an Academy Award. That 20 track soundtrack has been re-imagined by Mr Corigliano into a wonderful four movement composition called "The Red Violin Concerto" which is performed here brilliantly by Mr Bell, conductor Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The piece is dedicated to Mr Corigliano's father. In addition, there is the five movement "Sonata for Violin and Piano" performed by Mr Bell and the amazing pianism of Jeremy Denk. The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with the Red Violin Concerto's 'knock-out' of a 16 minute multi-layered, multi-tempo "Chaconne" movement that runs the gamut of emotions from ethereal to intense, from arco to pizzacato, beautifully played by Joshua Bell and supported by Ms Alsop and the orchestra. A 'Tour de Force' in one movement! That's followed by 'castanet'-like accents, skittering notes, and a marvelous dissonant waltz in the second "Pianissimo Scherzo" movement with Mr Bell playing like a dervish, displaying a wonderful tone. And lastly, the thrilling 'train ride' of the final "Accelerando" movement with Bell playing hard, fast, and heartfelt amid orchestral cacophony full of surprises. The "Sonata for Violin and Piano" is almost a microcosm of the Concerto with beautiful themes, especially the plaintive "Lento", taunt violin soliloquies, and technical bowed fireworks abounding. Joshua Bell, Ms Alsop and the orchestra, and Mr Denk are absolutely superb as is the composer Mr Corigliano. Kudos to all concerned!! My Highest Recommendation. Five HUGE Stars - Amazon.com - Sept. 2007 THE RED VIOLIN CONCERTO: Amazon.com | iTunes FOR MORE INFORMATION: JoshuaBell.com
