|
|
 - Enough just to see Mischa MaiskyThere are tons of big names in this Gala Performance. Of the star-studded performer cast, there is however one clear standout - Mischa Maisky. I never fancied the cello as an instrument - it is big, clumsy, dark sounding, its music often bordering on boring. Mr. Maisky changed all my preconceptions of the instrument. Maisky is clearly one of the greatest musicians/artists of this era - not just cellist, but musician/artist. First of all, I give my hearty appreciation for his appearance (yes, appearance counts very much these days). Very avante garde looking, truly artistic and never detracts from his artistry;wonderful balance being struck in his apparel. Secondly, his artistry - I have never seen him playing, but would only say that I am totally mesmerised. He virtually becomes one with his instrument - you would not even bother to differentiate whether it is a violin, viola, or cello. The sound emerging is simply one beautiful singing tone - rich, luscious, expressive and highly sensitive. I learned that this instrument is a gift to the artist by a anonymous admirer, and is a precious antique instrument. How well Maisky merges himself with the instrument! I agree that the donor just simply could not be more pleased. Apart from this legendary cellist, the programme features some other brilliant artists. Of particular interest to me is the star soprano Anna Netrebko, fresh of tone and abounding in vocal (and visual) beauty. Well, she is 'the' star soprano now, unsurprisingly. I like her final duet with Hvorostovsky. Of the solo pieces sung by Mr Hvorostovsky, the excerpt from Pique Dame is the best. Probably Hvorostovsky and Netrebko now heads the long line of Russian musicians internationally. Even so, I wish musical fans would not miss out the other wonderful artists in Russia. I've definitely added Maisky to my own list of classical superstars. Rating: - Varied concertThe Russians have put together an excellent concert with a variety of superb artists. Both the singers and instrumentalists are excellent. There is something for everyone. Rating: - Cello virtuosity seldom seen and heardGala concert performances usually celebatate anniversaries, and the artistic value and merit of the event, in the spirit of a festive occasion, may be unitentionally overlooked. Not on this DVD. All the artists perform to the highiest standards for which they are known. However, cellist Misha Maisky steals the show. His dark-color-varnished cello sings, and the intensity, darkness, fullness and emotion of the sound he pours out of this instrument it's breathtaking, and caresses your mind and heart to a dreaming abandon. The bond between this instrument and this artist is phenomenal and unique, and it deserves attention to quench one's curiosity. Well, there is a Cinderella story behind the cello Maisky's playing. He made his U.S. debut at Carnegie Hall, in 1973, with the Pittsburg Orchestra under the baton of William Steinberg. After the concert, a unknown man from the audience was so moved by Maisky's performance that he gave him as a gift the cello he's playing now: a priceless 1730s Domenico Montagnana cello! Montagnana's cellos are a little shorter and a little wider than the Stradivarius, and that may explain, according to the experts, the darker and fuller sound. If this gentle and sesitive soul could see this DVD, he would know one more time that his gift has matched Maisky's virtuosity to a heavenly perfection. Constantine A. Papas Rating:  - Yeah...... you can have it......You can have it. But you won't watch it more than three times. The best is Mischa Maisky. He's very good. Netrebko is good. Hvorostovsky is disappointing. I was disappointed with the outcome. I was really expecting more. Rating: - A brief addendum to J Scott Morrison's reviewI've been waiting for the US release of this DVD after seeing a clip from it on a cable arts channel many months ago, and it was worth waiting for. J Scott Morrison's review is right on target, and I'd just like to underline a few aspects. First, if you haven't seen Anna Netrebko before (or if you were put off by her MTV-like DVD, as I was), the Nedda/Silvio duet will astonish you. The passion is both vocal and visual, a real triumph of operatic art. Second, the assortment of pieces on the program is surprisingly interesting and diverse, one that I think will be pleasing to revisit often. Finally, a minor complaint: by the end of the DVD (in the duet), the picture and sound seemed slightly out-of-synch to me; I wonder if anyone else has noticed this? But the bottom line is: this is a wonderful disc, definitely five stars.
|
