Title : Romance of the Violin
Author : Puccini, Giacomo
Release Date : 20031028
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.49
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Editorial Reviews : Every track on this CD contains a beautiful melody, many of them easily recognizable, all of them exuding tranquility. 'O mio babbino caro' from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi opens the disc, with Bell delicately accompanied by a harp and spinning the long melody with great sensitivity. Bellini's 'Casta diva' from Norma lives up to its reputation as the epitome of bel canto in Bell's hands; his violin sings. The middle movement of Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto takes well to the violin, and Debussy's 'The Girl with the Flaxen Hair' is played with great warmth and sensuality. It would be easy to turn a recital like this into treacle, but Bell is wise enough to realize that the music is already sweet enough and he plays with great reserve and a minimum of sentimental slides. The light accompaniments always support, with woodwinds prominent but used with grace. This CD, in short, is a beauty: a fine gift, a lovely mood setter. --Robert Levine
Buyer Reviews : Violinist Joshua Bell's latest offering, Romance of the Violin, captures the dreamy abandon of an intimate visit. Bell infuses Craig Leon's lush arrangements with a sensitive lyricism that results in sumptuous readings without the slightest trace of sentimentality or self-consciousness. Each timeless, classic melody has been recast to lend itself not only to the breadth and depth of the violin in general, but to the unique pointed, glistening nuance of this violinist in particular. Bell conveys the breathless anticipation of a rendezvous with a lover who greets his adored with a serenade before climbing up the trellis to embrace her. This recording calls to mind those moments when time stands still: catching a glimpse of fire-streaked clouds at sunset or falling under the gaze of one's beloved. Absolutely Joshua Bell at his finest. Heavenly.
