Bruch SHOWDOWN 🎻 ft. Janine Jansen, Itzhak Perlman, Menuhin & Maxim Vengerov

[@RayChenViolinist]

Want to hear how I practice? Download Tonic for free and follow my profile: tonicmusic.app/join-in You'll get notified every time I practice 🎻

[@Xphqntom]

Already did it !!! :D

[@HellNoNotKerry]

@@Xphqntomi see you everywhere

[@Xphqntom]

@@HellNoNotKerry stalker ? Or are you a violist...

[@HellNoNotKerry]

@@Xphqntom im a violinist

[@Xphqntom]

@@HellNoNotKerry but violinist dont stalk , violist stalk :V

[@garputhefork]

I read this as "Brunch showdown," and I'd totally watch a video with Ray having brunch with Jansen, Perlman, et al.

[@agatafurczyk9149]

my device actually corRectEd my comment to 'brunch' - good I'd noticed it before posting 😆

[@cellokid5104]

Same

[@emilythielen6700]

I'm 100% down to watch this as content but must include a croissant-eating contest🥐

[@M_SC]

Random but yeah I’m in

[@tessverberckmoes]

Want to see a video like that 😂

[@lucienazario2786]

I love the way Maxim Vengerov plays this concerto. His interpretation shows more emotions. His playing is great!!! 😊

[@bb1111116]

Yes, his tone and feeling is exquisite which fits this concerto very well.

[@veronicaanton695]

Vengerov, I love a man who isn't afraid of being vulnerable, who shows us he has a thousand hearts for every emotion

[@duggiefresh8170]

I always hear that little boy when I hear Menuhin. Pure Innocence. No other violinist has this quality. He retained this even into old age.

[@duggiefresh8170]

@sprickenville I'm not talking about technical perfection. His technique went a bit sideways as he aged. Obviously. I'm talking about a certain quality to his tone that is very special and unique. I prefer his vulnerable innocence to many of the technically perfect players today.

[@paulandrews8140]

I was brought up on Perlman, the pure joy of his playing always comes through on recordings. Many modern violinist seem to have forgotten this.

[@twoblink]

Then you were brought up right!

[@fatdoi003]

violin playing style has greatly changed since the black n white era to now digital content... today soloists have their own interpretation of each piece and comparing them on Qobuz is a breeze...

[@Proud_Troll]

​@@fatdoi003 I personally dislike when soloists play the piece the way they want. I don't think Perlman alters the piece, he just plays everything more expressively.

[@luc8254]

@@Proud_Troll both ways of playing are great and necessary, don't get too hung up on one way or another to do music. Both ways of viewing it are equally as valid

[@sarahcowan1489]

Janine Jansen is a ROCK STAR!!! The way she attacks the piece, truly brilliant, masterful 🌟

[@veronicakiss7557]

I feel like she is underrated. She is my favorite!

[@Ving_Tsun_Devotee]

Janine Jansen played Bruch once with the orchestra I used to play in, was cool to have shared in her performance 😊

[@AusSkyLFT]

Janine is one of my all-time favorites. One of my biggest musical inspirations as I’ve gotten older. ☺️

[@mrkoelle]

I’m really enjoying these showdown videos where Ray analyzes the performances of the same piece by different violinists.

[@strawberry_liesl25]

I was practicing the first movement before my concert and my non-musician friend said "it sounds like a woman finding out her husband is cheating on her" and it changed my whole perspective on interpretation

[@sabrinai]

I think Ray's explanation why Menuhin's interpretation of the romantic bit seems to be dragging makes a lot of sense. Also I think we're just used to hearing this type of phrasing, where there is direction.

[@M_SC]

It’s a developed explanation for a lot of things. The complicated tv shows of the 1980s are dull to even children today

[@gae11e]

Team Janine 😍 Saw her live 2 weeks ago playing Sibelius, that was ... just wow.

[@Nymeria0]

I wish we have something like what you do for our flute community. ❤❤❤. This is exactly how I love to listen to music.

[@MD-ct9bm]

Janine offcourse! I love her playing, how she throws her whole heart in it and she is such a lovely person as well.

[@ddgn]

absolutely in love with vengerov's musicality, it always shines, especially in romantic pieces. anyways I love these videos on interpretation, keep it up!

[@claires3528]

Ray, I'm embarrassed to admit, but before these videos of yours I didn't think there was any difference when different people played a particular piece of classical music. I thought all the recordings were the same! Thank you for gently stretching our ears, brains & hearts. 😂❤

[@nabilahshuaib67]

I absolutely love these review videos you do, breaking down the thought behind the soloist mind almost. I think Augustin Hadelich would be a great soloist to review because of his emotion and interesting approaches to famous pieces!

[@Aezandris]

Would love to hear hadelich in some of these comparisons for any piece that might come up in the future!

[@BexWty]

Augustin's Brahms and Barber are beautiful. He plays with such emotion, I could listen to him all day long.

[@micaelabonetti949]

Me too! Please, Ray!!! 🙏

[@celli_ec._.]

Anything Hadelich ❤

[@quest-cequecesttonvisage]

spiccyy

[@UnshavenStatue]

Dude your editor is amazing, I dunno how they do it but the perfect additives to accompany your narrative, never too much, never distracting from you, and yet just the right emphasis and "reactions" to add visual flavor with your voice. well done

[@kelleyforeman]

No one plays a romantic concerto quite like Janine! Her phrasing is always exciting!

[@theevilduckling]

I hope you do Bach chaconne soon. It's such a classic piece, with so many good interpretations by Hilary hahn, gitlis, Menuhin, etc!

[@coffeehelpsmefallasleep]

and also his ofcouree:) although he only had a recording from a phone which kinda messes up the quality and expirience. nonetheless it was really enjoyable too

[@jakobhaertel2258]

Woah the Bruch violin concerto is my favourite out there and I've never listened to Verengov's version. While I didn't quite like his 3rd movement as much even the small bit of the second movement ray listened to here sent shivers up and down my spine damn. His second movement really is something special. Janine's, Hilary's and also Maria Duenas' third movement are simply unbeatable imo because they play it with such raw powerr and technically perfect, always a pure joy to listen to.

[@jackburgess8579]

>>"Maria Duenas' third movement are simply unbeatable imo because they play it with such raw powerr and technically perfect" MD's Bruch third movement is very far from technically perfect - it is a mess, really - and her "raw power" is inappropriate.

[@kristintripp967]

Perlman's bowing was so fun to watch! 🤩

[@quest-cequecesttonvisage]

absolutely! that pinky, omg

[@ondrejkratochvil4589]

Well I've listened to couple of other interpretations in the past days as well - Chloe Chua, Hillary Hahan, Julia Fischer, Maria Duenas, Zukerman, Oistrach... the 3rd movement is really iconic, you could literally do a "Bruch playoffs" :)

[@sabrinai]

Unbelievable how the orchestra kind of adapts the style of Vengorov in the third movement! What a vibe there!

[@tabby7189]

Three points of critique: - The observation about Menuhin and being in different eras was very insightful. The way he plays the slow theme reflects a comfort with "sitting around observing what's around you and taking it in" - Your demonstration of the third movement doesn't express "guy on a horse" more because the amount of time you take to articulate the fast single stops takes so much forward momentum out that it feels like something different - Vengerov didn't say he was sick of it; he said he thought he needed to have less to do with the piece. That could have been because he thought he better play some other stuff (ex: because he was 21 and should learn more repertoire or because he wasn't spending time enjoying other repertoire as much as he wanted or because he didn't want people to associate him too strongly with this concerto and little else since he hadn't yet shown himself playing everything else we've heard from him in these 24 years)

[@greggoryrice7046]

Vengerov. He is special and has been since he arrived on stage.

[@YYWYYWYYW]

Always love watching and listening to Ray playing Bruch and Brahms 3rd movement! ❤️🎻✨

[@BexWty]

I absolutely love the bruch concerto, it melts my heart. I think my favourite version personally is Heifetz's version which isn't featured in this video but they are all fantastic in their own way. Loving these comparison videos xx

[@notmyrealname6272]

Love them all but Janjne is the one who a. Utterly moves me and b. Makes me want to rush and get my violin out. ❤

[@lenircotia]

Maxim Vengerov has easily the best interpretation! He has such a great sense of tone as to what is appropriate. He does justice to Bruch's composition!

[@mallerschwab980]

I feel like janine is very involved and involves the audience a lot they are always kind of looking at what comes next. she never let´s it get boring and really draws you in and captivates you, to a lesser degree vengerov does that too. I think this is amazing however it makes it difficult for quiet and somber emotions to really spread out and sink in. I think it is very enjoyable to listen too but may not be as impactful emotionally. But I love that these exist and there is variety.

[@ssbmg]

Thank you Ray! My 15yo daughter has won 2 competitions this Spring with this concerto with a 3rd coming up tomorrow. These videos are super helpful and insightful. Please keep them coming! Looking forward to seeing you perform in Boulder, CO next month.

[@graceFireLord999]

Wowza! That's amazing!

[@Thomas-441Hz]

Perlman’s playing is majestic and Janine’s playing is magical ❤

[@Jackblack-je1qj]

the 18 yo vengerov playing bruch, i heard that on spotify, i think that is the best bruch i have ever heard 🧡🧡

[@bogumiauczak8018]

Ray, You are a spectaculare and wonderful artist, unique on our planet. THANK YOU só much. ❤❤❤

[@nathanbenzour]

I hope you will review Maria Dueñas her rendition. My absolute favourite by a mile!!! Especially the third movement is so good.

[@koboldy1]

oh yes! I am listening to it nonstop! Love it

[@jackburgess8579]

MD's performance of the work is a mess.

[@Tripod-ld4qv]

I agree, it’s visually interesting but inferior if you just listen to it.

[@GloriaAguilar-u1z]

Bruch has been my favorite for a long time

[@agatafurczyk9149]

Can't wait - I really like the Bruch concerto (BTW phone tried to make 'brunch' out of Bruch 😂)

[@adambe1126]

I saw Daishin Kashimoto (first concertmaster of Berlin Phil) play this last year in Nottingham UK and I was blown away. His sound is just so dark and rich and perfect for Bruch. Especially in the second movement, his mastery and control over the long lines was just incredible. I've seen many of the current worlds top soloists (vengerov, ehnes, hadelich to name a few) and none of them came close to kashimoto in my opinion. It's such a shame he doesn't perform solo a little bit more. He deserves more recognition.

[@fgorlando]

It’s hard to say which is best… they all add unique, fantastic elements. My violin professor in college got her bachelors, masters, and phd in violin performance all from Juilliard and studied with Dorothy Delay…. made me think of her when you mentioned Ms. Delay 😊. You always add such great perspective in these videos and I’m here for it 👍🏼👍🏼

[@yawenliu6648]

I love Kyung Wha Chung's 1970s live version, would love to hear you elaborate on her playing from a top pro's perspective

[@giraffecolor5681]

love these types of videos! thank you!!!

[@reeser8]

Person on a horse; yearning for it, but not quite getting it....I absolutely love all the analogies he makes to connect the music with emotion. From this, it is clear that a 10 year old prodigy, as technically advanced she or he is, cannot possibly be expresing these interpretations firsthand. They are merely mimicking the sound secondhand without the life experience to transmit their own emotions through the piece firsthand. Theirs is a secondhand performance, no matter how close it is to the real deal. Good on Vengerov for sitting out this piece for 24 years, enough time for him to unlearn the ingrained secondhand emotions, and give a fresh interpretation from his own heart.

[@robertwalker7924]

I so enjoyed your post Ray, thankyou. and your ideas on Menuhin especially.

[@hectorberlioz1449]

I like to mention the versions by Milstein and Francescatti! These are imho the very best renderings of the Bruch concerto!

[@Aaron-xq6hv]

Should've done this video about Bruch 2 and 3, no one would've ever seen it coming.

[@Maryum.Batool]

I first heard Ray's Bruch when I stumbled on a video on his instagram of him rehearsing the third movement. I was absolutely floored by the passion, the intensity, the foot stomping, lol. Ray's playing made this one of my favourite concertos and I've never been able to listen to any other artist after hearing that.

[@michaelsproule2508]

Have a listen to Menuhin's 1931 recording, at age 15. I always love Menuhin, but this particular recording is fantastic!

[@guillermoramirez8444]

I always associated the Bruch with Pinchas Zukerman. I guess there are no videos of Zukerman's earlier interpretations to be able to include him in a video like this one. Agree Menuhin's interpretation projects a lack of emotion and that is a thing of his period. Like Menuhin, I prefer the emphasis that is given to that initial phrase starting with an upbow. Maxim Vengerov is my favorite. The recording is so spacious. The light and camera angles also help a lot in showing this is a big concert. His emotions are so aligned with what is being played. I wish Janine Jansen's video recording/production was better in this sense because her interpretation is so good but the video recording feels small; Never zoomed out, dark background. Agree Perlman is a confident interpretation, and the bow, wonderful! Don't like when he is pulling ahead of the orchestra in some parts. Love your description of lacking vulnerability. Thanks for another awesome video.

[@juliabkw]

I can't quite grasp why I have such a love affair with this concerto, but in contrary to some other concertos of that era, it's not about showing off. Instead it feels like telling an epical story of a person's soul journey through love from the inner most core. I remember when I played it (it was the last piece I played before putting down the violin for 30 years) I was instantly pulled into it's center, like you can't play it (or would have to struggle hard) from an objective technique-only standpoint. You can't escape each note infusing you with the very emotion it's expressing. At the same time I would go so far to say this piece taught me some depth and subtlety of feeling I had not know before back in the time. My personal favorite interpretation so far is that of Clara Jumi Kang and MyungWhun Chung as conductor on YT from 2020

[@jaganzakahn]

Janine is my favorite interpretation of this piece. I also like Anne Sophie Mutter's, her first movement is incredible. Janine's 3rd movement is so delightful though, and I love her 1st and second too. To me hers is the quintessential version of the piece.

[@chia_s_ee_d]

I also love Anne Sophie’s, I also love Hilary’s!! I really wish Hilary would record the piece ❤

[@athan4752]

My favorite Bruch is Midori’s. There’s so much power and contrast throughout the dynamics which leads to a greater depth of emotion.

[@alejandronarvaez9806]

Old Zukerman has the best rendition of Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 (Conductor: Mehta, 2006, Tel Aviv, Israel)

[@2LUV3VIOLin28]

I love Bruch violin concerto. I'm looking forward to learning it one day.

[@joeldawsey]

Thank you Ray. I really enjoy these types of videos. I'm trying to learn this piece at the moment and found it helps to look at these performers. I've been modeling my bowings and fingerings after the Vengerov video.

[@ann_classical]

It’s Bruch! Thanks for sharing! I learned a lot!❤❤❤

[@ynot5478]

This was such an enjoyable video-thank you for sharing what to listen for.

[@charged7177]

You know Ray truly enjoys playing the violin when instantly his faces expressions change when playing it, although for a brief moment.

[@tonio-e6n]

I REALLY would love to listen to your Bruch concerto. SERIOUSLY

[@Cursed_Baljeet]

He has one! It’s one of my favs

[@almightyhydra]

I'm going Team Jansen. So much passion

[@jh.y00N]

Maestro Ray's review videos are like a compass to a new world I didn't know existed. Thank you for always making such informative and high quality videos!✨👑🎻🌞💎🥇🎖️🏆When you explained the Victorian era, it was fun to understand it at once!💡✨😆

[@dkalir]

Ray - you’re a true master! You’re so inspiring, and your sense of awe and wonder are palpable! Thanks so much, again, for this wonderful idea! Two quick suggestions: first, include the yer of the performance (Menuchin? 1950s?). Second, include Gil Shazam (you did mention Dorothy Delay…). Thanks again. Awesome!

[@rae9665]

My favorite version is Sarah Chang's , her interpretation of Bruch is "chefs kiss"

[@RobW1836]

I WANT Vengerov's violin! It's stunning...

[@santiagof5511]

Thanks for this. You got the best content on violin playing ❤

[@lucaspiano]

For me the best performance I've ever heard and watched is with Hilary Hahn! Hilary is a legend today. Indeed!

[@chia_s_ee_d]

Agreed! Her and Anne Sophie are my faves for this piece ❤

[@Jay-gl1ch]

fr fr, Bruch peaked at that performance

[@pinkpinkpanther]

Love this piece. Love your review. I can’t play violin but I have learnt something here.

[@Jay_Bacal]

More of these comparisons please!

[@cesarcerna-m7r]

Ray Hello can you play Bruch s Violin concerto no. 1 please thank you so much

[@sarahcowan1489]

I love Menuhin best...his stance, his control, his vibrato, his most excellent positioning and phrasing...all his emotion come through his playing ❤️

[@a.r.mackinnon2451]

I'm always amazed by how little Menuhin and Heifetz' hands move performing vibrato.

[@simon0yeung]

For Bruch, it’ll be Kyung Wha Chung’s version. So much feels and energy

[@kj62431]

I am a big Vengerov fan. His articulations are always fresh and new. His putting it away and then waiting to bring it out again really fosters the fresh sound.

[@nafizzeybek5300]

My favourite bruch concerto is yours

[@Tennisisreallyfun]

Menuhin was known to make a lot of mistakes like that. However, the amazing thing is that his intonation was incredible and his sound was one of the best to be produced from the violin. Rich and warm and just lovely to listen to and, as you mentioned, with perfect vibrato! Okay, some mistakes, but he more than deserves his extremely high place in the annals of violin history😉

[@CottonCandyTheWW2Geek]

Vengerov’s version was amazing

[@MP-ni7el]

I prefer Menuhin and Perlman. Both have a warm tone that I think suits this piece. The other two produce sound that is too, I'm not sure what word to use, maybe steely? The Bruch, for me (I'm a senior and wonder if there is a generational difference in how we react to sound style), should be full of lush and beautiful emotion. Are Menuhin and Perlman playing the same violin or ones that seem alike? Which violins are Jansen and Vengerov playing?

[@abyss7050]

as someone who is trying to learn bruch i see this as a win

[@jh.y00N]

Ray, your videos are entertaining and informative and bring me closer to understanding the violin. As always, thank you deeply✨👍🏻👍🏻💯🥰

[@wjlin1]

Wow! great video and interpretation for each musician !

[@agatafurczyk9149]

Didn't expect 'Valentine's special" 😉... - Am I too old at heart or something? ❤‍🩹 ..............Well... maybe it's NOT THAT bad...🙂 Overall, among these four, Janine's and Maxim's are my favourite - they engage me emotionally. Menuhin's feels to me like a 'very traditional courtship method': "we've seen each other for 30 minutes - ✔; feeling superficial attraction - ✔; families don't oppose - ✔. Where do we sign?" 😶............. 😅 - different times, different vibes...

[@farzadhozouri5365]

My favorite violinist is Maxim but Perlman rules in this concerto

[@maaikedam4909]

My favorite recording is of Diana Adamyan in the 2018 Menuhin competition (which she won, by the way). She puts so much emotion into the piece.

[@andyc8923]

Perlman's best in my opinion.

[@lydieviolinart]

Merci beaucoup pour cette review! C'est un des prochains morceaux que je voudrais apprendre. Ça m'aide beaucoup pour savoir quelle interprétation prendre

[@DBogie]

I gotta say Ray, thank you for making this video. I’ve got a solo and ensemble contest coming up in about 2 weeks, and I’m playing mvt 3 for it. I appreciate the insight.

[@HappyGothGal]

I can't possibly be the only one who misread the title and was excited for a "Brunch Showdown"

[@silentstringquartet]

My first experience with Bruch is a recording by Chloe Hanslip . It was amazing and set as my comparison point to other violinist. thanks for this video once again.

[@GloriaAguilar-u1z]

Finale from bruch is my favorite

[@olgawigunadharma18]

Have you heard the ones played by Kyung Wa Chung...? She has great interpretation of the Bruch Concerto as well in my opinion...

[@fatdoi003]

Ray, you missed out on Maria Duenas especially on her 3rd movement those wicked up bows with a real sting

[@agatafurczyk9149]

I like her Bruch too! ☺

[@jackburgess8579]

>>"you missed out on Maria Duenas" It was a good move.

[@onethiccbagel3763]

youre in this comment section just to hate on maria duenas like shhhh please no one cares@@jackburgess8579

[@katsrgr8te369]

They are all amazing, but I enjoyed Perlman the most.

[@milanchristi7939]

Terrific video! Thanks for sharing!

[@karentravis2357]

My violin professor at university Edward Or and his sister Hilda Bor (pianist) were friends of Yehudi Menuhin.

[@Dilsli]

I looooove these videos! Please, keep them coming! A suggestion: you could make a video where you'd play a really easy piece, with different interpretations. So that we noobs could try at home to use what you'd shared ND improve our playing. Like an easy piece of the first 2, or 3 Suzuki books.

[@HubertK28]

You should definitely check out Sergey Khachatryan's Bruch concerto with Gianandrea Noseda and the Orchestre de Paris. It's here on KZbin. Especially the second movement is stunning.

[@josesblima]

Is this the first time you make a video like this? By far my favorite video of yours!

[@RayChenViolinist]

Now you know how to sound like Janine, go practice on Tonic: tonicmusic.app/join-in and share your progress with everyone!