Josh Bell or Sarah Chang?

[Bflatminor]

Who do ya'll think is a better player, Josh Bell, or Sarah Chang? I have lisened to many cd's of both, but I still don't know who is better. Could ya'll help me?

[shostakovich]

Only you can decide that for yourself, if you care to. I like 'em both, and don't find any reason to choose. It might be more reasonable to compare performances of the same work by the two. But Sarah will probably prefer hers, and Joshua his. Then all you have to do is break the tie.
I know this is not the answer you're looking for, but think about it.
Shos

[bignaf]

Heifez.

[Nicole Marie]

Midori. Hilary Hahn.

[Shapley]

Gilles Apap. When he's not fiddling around he's quite good!

V/R
Shapley

[EJA]

Frankly, I generally do not care for Joshua Bell's playing. I just find it to be sub-par. There's no doubt that he's a good violinist (much better than I, but that's true of almost anyone worthy of the title, "violinist"), but he never seems to quite great. It often seems that he's too preoccupied with the technical demands of a piece (i.e., he doesn't practice it sufficiently) to put feeling into it. I think Gil Shahan, Nigel Kennedy, Midori, and Hillary Hahn are all better violinists than he. I'd also predict that Leila Josefecowiz will be a better violinist with experience and increase reportoire. I remain of the opinion that Anne-Sophie Mutter is the greatest living violinist, though Perlmann could be if he were to invest the practice time (I don't blame him for moving on to other things; he was the greatest in the '80s and '90s). I can't render an opinion about Sarah Chang because I haven't heard enough of her playing.

[bignaf]

yes, Mutter. I just heard her in Penderecki's 2nd concerto Metamorphosen. one of the greatest works of the last 2 decades! written for her.

[Austin]

I have seen Sarah Chang perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Although there is no comparison between live and recorded, I fell in love with her performance. She put her soul and her passion into what she obviously loves.

[Shapley]

Austin,

Welcome the Forum!

V/R
Shapley

[audiogirl]

I have CD's of most of these folks, and although they're not playing the same thing, I much prefer Midori's style. Her recordings seem to sound a little more effortless than the rest.

P.S. Grammar deputies, I couldn't think of a good way to say this---a little more effortless? Supply better words if you wish.

<small>[ 10-31-2003, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: audiogirl ]</small>

[treebeau]

The only problem with Sarah Chang is that an hour later you want to hear her play again.

Regards,
Tim "not a bigot" B.

[Shapley]

LOL

[shostakovich]

Cute, Tim.

"more effortless" = "effortlesser"
What about "less effortful"?
Damn, there must be a better way!
Ex-Grammar Grenadier

[barfle]

Easier? Maybe "more at ease?" (sorry Aaron)

<small>[ 11-01-2003, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: barfle ]</small>