Search - Hilary Hahn: A Portrait on DVD

Talent of the Century

J. M. Thomas | New Haven, CT USA | 02/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great idea, to make a documentary of violinist Hilary Hahn traveling around the world and concertizing. Undoubtedly at the top of her profession, Hahn never fails to amaze with her unmistakably gorgeous tone, enviable precision, and brilliant musicality. This DVD "portrait" includes personal footage of Hahn backstage at the Philharmonie in Berlin, as well as a tour at the Curtis Institute, a recording session at Abbey Road Studios, and a trip to Hong Kong. In an age of music commercialism, Hahn is refreshingly real and self-deprecating. Included on this DVD are excerpts from the Korngold Concerto, Mozart Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major, The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, Chaconne from Partita in D minor by Bach, and the Paganini Concerto No. 1. On the menu there is additional concerto footage, which includes the Korngold Concerto and Mozart sonata in their entirety - thank goodness, because there's nothing more aggravating than replaying excerpts. If for nothing else, buy the DVD for these complete live recordings, because they are absolutely sublime. The outer movements of the Korngold sound a lot like film music, which the classical music lover may or may not like, but the second movement is incredibly beautiful and highly recommended. The Mozart sonata is also very well played, but this is nothing new as Hahn has already released a recording of this. This DVD is important because it contains video footage of Hahn performing - the only other DVD where you can find her playing is The Last Night of the Proms, in which she plays the Mozart Concerto No. 4 in D Major and Presto from Sonata No. 1 by Bach, but the sound quality is somewhat lacking and certainly doesn't do justice to Hahn."

Hilary Hahn - No One Better.

Jonathan E. Rice | Lexington, OH USA | 02/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have not even gotten to watch the entire DVD yet and already I am very impressed. Some the the insightful things Ms. Hahn says regarding her performances could (and should) be used for college, or even high school, speech classes. But the music is what makes the DVD. Any classical music fan, especially any fan of Hilary's, needs to buy this DVD."

A Must Have for ALL Hilary Hahn Fans

Woodland Poet | 06/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is what it says it is, a portrait. Hilary Hahn comes off as genuine and insightful throughout. She is also a talent of wit and humor as well, such as in her tour of Curtis Institute that had a real improvised quality about it and spontaneity. The concert footage is very good. For example, we get to see Hilary perform the entire Korngold concerto (a personal favorite of mine), live in concert. A definite treat is to get to see her play violin for those that don't get to see concerts very often. She gives us a view of what her years at Curtis were like, (sitting at the back of the violins in the school orchestra and pumpkin carving), views on the contemporary recording process, as well as what it is like to travel around the world at the top of her profession. Lots of interviews, lots of candid footage."

The most honest portrait of an artist you will find.

F. Joel Schwarzenbart | 05/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Hilary Hahn will be familiar with her honesty, through the liner notes of her albums. They will also be familiar with the unique power of selection in the music recorded on her albums.
Her music is both uniquely beautiful, and unbelievably difficult. I believe she is drawn to pieces that have been accused of being unplayable. This is what makes her music so easy to love.
Any Hilary Hahn recording is worth every second of your time. You will be left staring in disbelief at your speakers, possibly listening & relistening to particular passages, thinking that you can't have just heard what you thought you just heard.
Her honesty shines throughout the DVD. With other artists, one wonders quite frequently if they are just saying things they want you to hear as opposed to being honest. Hilary Hahn is as honest with her fans, and I believe more importantly, as honest with herself as one can be.
Again, worth every second.
Play it & replay it, along with her albums (or is "cd" a more proper term these days?)."