Hilary Hahn

Posted by psgary (A) on October 11, 2014 at 19:07:43

Having heard Hilary Hahn interviewed, I respect her as an artist, and I will admit my familiarity with her recordings is quite limited. One reason for my lack of knowledge is that from recordings I've heard I find she plays too fast for my taste.

Two cases in point: I heard her play some Bach. Sorry, I can't remember the exact piece but it was one I have some familiarity with. Now I like a brisk tempo for Bach and Baroque in general. But I felt the breakneck speed of Miss Hahn's performance sacrificed depth. It almost sounded like speed for speed's sake.

The same goes for a sample I heard of the third movement of the Mendelssohn concerto in E. Again, I like this to move along, but she played it so fast that it almost sounded like some notes were missing. Consequently, I decided against getting the recording.

My purpose is not to denigrate Hilary Hahn as an artist. I just wanted other people's impressions on this one aspect. Is she known for her speed?

Thanks for any thoughts.

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Topic - Hilary Hahn - psgary 19:07:43 10/11/14 (24)

Wonderful responses - psgary 12:50:26 10/14/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - genungo 16:30:43 10/13/14 (0)

Something fishy about this - pbarach 04:58:23 10/13/14 (3)

You see? She's running scared! - Chris from Lafayette 10:26:03 10/13/14 (2)

She's not scared. - genungo 06:40:45 10/14/14 (1)

Touché! [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 15:10:00 10/14/14 (0)

Definitely respect Hilary Hahn - andy evans 02:37:56 10/13/14 (0)

With all due respect - madisonears 22:14:33 10/12/14 (1)

Wow - this reminds me of the Shostakovitch Hate-Fest we had a couple of months ago [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 22:56:11 10/12/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - srl1 05:55:20 10/12/14 (3)

RE: Hilary Hahn - jazz1 22:17:20 10/13/14 (1)

RE: Hilary Hahn - jec01 05:44:56 10/14/14 (0)

Same here... - Ivan303 18:08:10 10/12/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - Chris from Lafayette 00:30:17 10/12/14 (3)

RE: Hilary Hahn - rbolaw 11:14:31 10/12/14 (2)

I re-listened, and, in some ways, I DO agree with you - Chris from Lafayette 23:16:36 10/12/14 (1)

Agreed. - rbolaw 10:48:55 10/13/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - jazz1 23:21:54 10/11/14 (3)

RE: Hilary Hahn - pbarach 04:56:28 10/12/14 (2)

RE: Hilary Hahn - fantja 19:00:14 10/12/14 (1)

canceled in Cleveland - pbarach 18:16:57 10/19/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - docw 21:39:20 10/11/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - rbolaw 20:52:43 10/11/14 (0)

RE: Hilary Hahn - fantja 20:38:16 10/11/14 (0)

Hilary Hahn

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