Mendelssohn SHOWDOWN 🎻 ft. Janine Jansen, Hilary Hahn, Heifetz & Vengerov

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Maxim Vengerov vs Hilary Hahn - who's style do you prefer when it comes to Mendelssohn? What about Janine Jansen? Or do you prefer old-school Jascha Heifetz?
Let me know if there are other performance versions of Mendelssohn you love in the comments below.
0:00 - Intro
0:23 - Jascha Heifetz
2:31 - Maxim Vengerov
7:13 - Janine Jansen
10:10 - Hilary Hahn

[@RayChenViolinist]

Who is your FAVORITE performer when it comes to the Mendelssohn? Make sure you go practice on Tonic with these new insights after watching the video: tonicmusic.app/join-in 🎵

[@GLBinNP]

Ray Chen is my favorite for Mendelssohn and Korngold, & maybe tied with Hilary Hahn for Sibelius.

[@elliechoi._.]

I love Hilary Hahns Mendelssohn but Ray’s is rlly good too

[@gimletrose1985]

Jansen, Nemanja

[@quest-cequecesttonvisage]

isabelle faust

[@ArbitraryCodeExecution]

should listen to more performances before I form an opinion

[@zenboi4415]

My favorite interpretation of this concerto is by this obscure violinist named Ray Chen. You've probably never heard of him.

[@tyraedmonson9677]

Definitely

[@wakingtheworld]

Ray who? Nah, never heard of him. Admits to having a weak pinkie too....

[@stevev5510]

He never did anything at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod.,

[@jyp6655]

I also love that violist wow

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

He’s the son of LingLing!!

[@kenkim5]

Vengerov legit turned that opening line into a full on Russian melody. Amazing

[@jelenakatic1778]

Right?! Had the same thought, suddenly Mendelssohn sounded like a Russian composer, in the best possible way!

[@joncaju]

Totally, the “woe is me” Russian classical music vibe

[@konstantinossvolopoulospap8735]

Hilary is my favourite because her sound is so pure and her phrasing so subtle and elegant, I feel like I’m listening to Mendelssohn directly rather than a soloist. It’s almost like hearing an ideal of music when she plays.

[@valeaves]

I feel the same, and this goes for all violin concertos I’ve heard her play so far. She’s awesome!

[@r77882]

FMHO - elegant=less intersting. Vengrov & Janine are so different and they both make you want to hear them again & again.

[@rostharan]

@@r77882 It depends, because Hahn's version feels so pure i can see it that there is an audience looking for that peculiar sound. But by your criteria, wouldn't you say that Heifetz was the most unique of all of them, don't you want to hear more of him? Just making a point here. Have a happy new year!

[@r77882]

@@rostharan Heifetz just makes the effort to play it as fast as he can. No self expression and no time for it. So obviously "unique" is not the only criteria I consider.

[@Anil18834]

Ray is very good and an excellent performer. I'd love to see him in concert. But Maxim Vengerov owns this piece imo, and Hillary's accuracy and purity blows me away. Those are my top 2 performances.

[@mapa6772]

Heifetz is not just fast but clean as a whistle. Perfect.

[@usstockchannel]

heifetz is too dry and fast for my taste. i know he was a technique machine (probably best all time for technique) but he plays everything the same way, fast, stoic, and somewhat emotionless for romanic pieces.

[@frankie6954]

​@usstockchannel After listening to Heifetz, and then Vengerov afterwards, I found Vengerov to sound very weak. Heifetz was his own universe, and one of a kind. Because of that, I think you either love him or you hate him. As for his sound, the greatest in history. Heifetz certainly never daudled, but at the same time he never sounded rushed.

[@subjectivelistenersubjecti2740]

big fan of Hilary Hahn myself, she is so precise and controlled. It is her choice. Vengerov is the best at this show.

[@valeaves]

I love her control. To me, other performers often sound as if they are overacting. Hilary just nails it because she takes herself back and only the music remains. Also, you often gotta read between the lines with her. I just love her so much!

[@simondanielssonmusic]

When I heard the first few notes of the vengerov interpretation I started tearing up instantly. It's crazy how different players can make you feel vastly different emotions. It's amazing actually. Yeah but out of all these vengerovs version is my absolute favourite.

[@wakingtheworld]

Same.... As a result I've ordered the CD!

[@stephenking4170]

Vengerov's version sets a scene and tells a story...connects with emotion

[@a.r.mackinnon2451]

I think in an interview with 2 set, Ms. Hahn said she approaches all her performances with a 'how she's feeling on the day' methodology. She suggested that having a set perspective on how to play pieces removed spontaneity from the performance. I've have definitely heard her play different renditions of Mendelssohn.

[@simondanielssonmusic]

While this is a channel dedicated to the art of violin playing, I really appreciate that you not only talk about things specific to violin but also general good advice on things like the emotional intention, phrasing etc. - things that even me, a classical guitarist and amateur cellist can take with me and learn from. Thank you! :)

[@Sim882]

I like Hilary's the most if you listen to the entire performance. She seems to avoid exaggerations at any point; thus, the overall performance seems more integrated emotionally and feels more profound.

[@pugsnhogz]

Love Ray's comment about Jansen "holding the tension" in her performance, you can really hear/feel it once you're listening for it. Her rendition has so much EBB and FLOW, it's really something

[@PositivelyNice]

Maxim Vengerov is a very romantic player. He always flirts with his violin and the music; absolutely in love.

[@deadoralivecowboy1401]

Please keep doing showdown videos , I learn a lot from your reviews and comments about phrasing and such :)

[@adi_demian]

Yes, yes, yes! Please, keep making videos! ❤❤❤

[@lucienazario2786]

Maxim Vengerov has been very consistent with how he interprets music. I have watched many of his video concerts and I feel his emotions. He is truly one of the great violinists worldwide. 👏

[@jerryhe9963]

Janine's tension-holding high note does the climax the most justice, but the 2-4 fingered octave by Hilary is also awesome

[@joncaju]

Love the passion from both Janine Jansen and Max Vengenov, but there’s a nobleness in how Hiliary Hahn approaches the Mendelssohn that draws me in, makes me hang on to every note and phrase, and invites me to hear this familiar concerto in a very different way than before

[@lisamuse574]

in the early to mid 20th century, jasha heifetz was the pinnacle of violin technique. many violinists tried to emulate him, but few were able to approach him. his perfection was so complete that critics had a hard time finding any fault with his playing. so, due to his calm, effortless demeanor onstage, critics began to fault him for being “cold, emotionless, calculating.” but (thankfully), someone had the intelligence to do a blind test on listeners. they had listeners hear an audio (no visual) recording of heifetz, and then compared his playing to several other violinists of the day playing the same piece, to see who evoked the most emotion from the listener. all of the listeners chose HEIFETZ as the most expressive, emotive, and heartfelt player they had heard.

[@ahteechia2687]

I am not a musician but hearing you talk about music and the different ways to interpret the same piece of music gave me a greater respect for great musicians and great classical music and great composers. Thank you for making classical music more accessible and enjoyable, not something remote and out of reach of none musicians to enjoy.

[@DebHickerson]

I grew up listening to a vinyl record of Yehudi Menuhin playing this. Love it!

[@emamali2591]

Maxim Vengrov interpretation is very expressive

[@PositivelyNice]

Hilary Hahn is always elegant, ethereal, making music look effortless. But goodness only knows how much she practices.

[@user-li9zz3do3d]

Definitely Janine Jansen. Wonderful phrasing. It sounds so natural.

[@leadershipisaphilosophy]

I rarely comment, but I genuinely appreciate you sharing your talent and insight. I am not a musician but I learn something new every time I watch one of your presentations. Thank you very much.

[@pugsnhogz]

For me Hahn's technique is just so pure, as many others have commented - you just feel the music singing through her instrument as if the performer is barely even there, less a presence and more of a conduit - I mean this not as a disparagement, but as the highest form of praise!

[@flockecogames]

Well put!

[@aesma-daeva]

Vengrov's story-telling is truly one of a kind!

[@felixLucretius]

Jansen’s definitely my favorite. The fluid and driving passion feels the most right for how the opening of the concerto was written-a happy middle between Heifetz (too stoic) and Vengerov (too sentimental, not enough momentum). I like Hilary’s, but it leans a little closer to Heifetz’s stoicism, arguably too deliberate imo. Don’t worry Ray I also have a weak baby pinky 😭

[@searchingfortruth619]

Yeah Hilary reigns supreme with her amazing technical mastery. It doesn't feel like she's trying to add any interpretation. I think that's why her style can sometimes come off as being more tight and not as emotional.

[@Simplenotion]

@@searchingfortruth619 I feel like she doesn't really take a stand which might be in a way the most purely classical interpretation of music - serving the composer. To me that can sometimes lean to not having a unique point of view which is needed to keep music fresh and evolving, bring out new colors and be emotionally sound. She seems so likable though and so good that I can't really dislike anything she does.

[@mediabunny4016]

Love this video! Please do Tchaikovsky and Brahms (with the Heifetz versions of both) and also the Sibelius. And maybe some Paganini too, that would be interesting.

[@ahh1180]

Maxim Vengerov is a generational he is exquisite

[@sabrinai]

Only Ray can imitate those different playing styles accurately.

[@jonhh6918]

As much as I like HH for the Mendelssohn concerto I consider Janine the goddess of this masterpiece for the violin.

[@arfyf6314]

It’s like her bow is glued to the strings but with super controlled elasticity. Omg. How do you even begin to get to this. Lesson please Ray. From beginner sound to super-legato… some new techniques necessary. Not just spidering etc etc… how do we kill the gaps between notes (without slurring)…

[@outerspace01l79]

Usually I don't like to compare performers but if I have to choose I'll always choose Heifetz. Noticed many comments here mentioned Sibelius violin concerto. In my opinion Sibelius violin concerto is like just written for Heifetz, insurmountable performance.

[@hammen8894]

Digo o mesmo para o concerto de violino do Korngold, Heifetz quem estreou o concerto e o compositor elogiou muito a interpretação, ficou incrível.

[@flockecogames]

Perfect comment. If one only listened to this Ray chen showdown, with that old Heifetz video clip, you'd likely get the wrong impression of Heifetz and his Mendelssohn. (The Hahn recording wasn't representative either). There's this strange bias that Heifetz was all about speed and precision, but listening carefully to his entire recording, of almost anything, and you get the best interpretation. He shapes not just a phrase but the entire concerto in the most brilliant way.

[@flockecogames]

​@@hammen8894love his korngold, and also Miklos rozsa

[@RE-nv4we]

Nothing beats Anne-Sophie Mutter & Karajan's recording of this concerto

[@oongaboongagang]

Woah!!! Vengerov's version deserves chef kisses!!!! I felt that a lot!!! Hilary's as well!!! So gooood!!

[@703elee]

never realized it but you nailed why Hilary's Bach is one of my favorite Bach's (along with Grumiaux.....which they sent to space).......her bow control and laser focus on the INDIVIDUAL note and also nailed why i never really go to her for Mendelssohn.

[@vitaliysakun-duvalko8946]

Ray, if you read this, make sure to listen to Vengerov’s transition in the cadenza into the ricochet section. The way he subtly plays each string individually before starting full on ricochet is amazing Really cool interpretation by him

[@ansonkwong432]

It is also interesting to know that Heifetz was very likely using Ray’s violin, the Dolphin Stradivarius, in this Mendelssohn recording. Same instrument, but completely different style of playing and interpretation.

[@manfred4766]

not his Guarneri ?

[@HelgeMoulding]

The trailer is pretty good, too...

[@mts21cnyc]

I would love to see a video that looks at different performances of the Bruch concerto :)

[@frankie6954]

You should have shown more of Heifetz playing the slower parts of the first movement. What a wonderful sound he had, and such expression. You seemed to give Heifetz less time than the others.

[@vivianchoi7290]

Can you please do a Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto showdown? I love this piece very much. Thank you for all the great music and inspiration!

[@rileylee3269]

Thanks for doing this Ray. Really enjoyed the series knowing how people actually admire orchestra and classical music and how people handle instruments

[@friederikerugglehrbass3999]

That was really interesting ( now my daughter wants to learn if too..😉😄) anyways. I love Janine Jansen,she is one of my favorite violin players. I wonder if a newer recording from Hillary would sound different. Interesting comment about the mic...bec I noticed something similar about her playing the second movement of Mozart G oj front of the pope..

[@Stanvansandt]

Oooo, good one, Ray. A bit of an eye opener for me, in that Vengerov was my favorite though I expected him to be last. I though his phrasing and tone expressed an emotional depth that I have rarely encountered in the Mendelssohn. Not that the others weren't valid interpretations in their own way - I enjoyed all of them. Loved your explanations and attempts to reproduce each artist's unique choices.

[@carolhayes7750]

Vengerov and Hahn were my favorites in this video. Love Jansen, but she and Heifetz sounded almost frantic to my ear in this concerto.

[@flockecogames]

You probably would love Julie Fischer on the Mendelssohn

[@PositivelyNice]

You are amazing teacher. Your tip on looking at the contact point, the fingering, etc, really helps me at Grade 3. I used to look at the music score a lot because I was always reading each note.

[@lingling-gh6pw]

Fun video!! It also reminds me of that if you watch Hilary's play from different ages, Mendelssohn sounds so different!

[@davidnavarro653]

My favorite interpretation is from kyung wha chung!

[@hmkhni]

Thank you for the analysis. Having heard and noticed the points you truly mentioned, still I go for Hilary and her precise, strong and the most balanced performance of all.

[@zeranong01]

love this kind of episode! please do it moreeee

[@Bannerkim1]

Thanks for the presentation. Extraordinary excerpts and artists.

[@michaelsproule2508]

I thought you were reacting to Hilary's Fingered Octaves! (That's probably why she added the top octave, second and fourth fingers). Slowed down to 50%, her fingering is clear, not to mention the effortless way she goes from the bottom strings to the middle and upper without the usual break!

[@danschmeidler9795]

amazing playing and great examples of amazing playing. awesome stuff

[@popitoto]

Really enjoyed your musical analysis on each violinist!

[@user-ij3ig9kd6j]

Very interesting🫶🏻🔥. Thank you for your fruitful work!!

[@r77882]

Wow, your interperations are so intersting & educating. Keep going with those reviews, this is great stuff!!

[@ffsrsw]

I hope you make this a series! Great insights and I would love to hear you talk about just about any violinist/concerto combination.

[@AKi-xy7ed]

Love this series!!! Hope to see more 🎉🎉

[@eckhardt2006kugler]

Miss Jansen, she makes it possible for me to be totally involved in a piece of music. It's not as sterile as I think Miss Hahn is and Jansen's portrayal of how she physically plays along is very impressive. Technically she is on an almost unattainable level for me in terms of her presentation. It's a pleasure to hear her play and watch her.

[@txsphere]

This is such a beautiful video. Zaddy, um Ray does such a wonderful job explaining the different interpretations.

[@arfyf6314]

Found this very instructive, thank you. More like this welcome 👍🎻.

[@christianet1907]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the different interpretations

[@MD-ct9bm]

Loved this video! Very interesting!

[@Oka33]

More of these please!

[@gabriele9957]

Just wanted to say Ray I really love this sort of video, please do more!

[@ViolinMechanic]

Hey Ray! I really enjoyed watching this video! Great and wonderful way of teaching by demonstrating these wonderful performers!

[@xiavitawu1765]

Lovin this concert trailer 🔥🔥

[@luzazn]

Thank you I really this kind of video where you breakdown how each interpretation are unique & specific. As I am a non music player, just a classical music enthusiast, this is very insightful. Thank you ❤😊

[@flyawayjoji]

I actually got to see you play this very concerto in Taipei in March this year (it was glorious, and I can't wait to see you play again some time), so it's super exciting for me to see you talk about what you love in other people's interpretations of the same piece!

[@gabriel1chan]

You helped us to open our understanding of interpretation at a higher level. Thanks.

[@GLBinNP]

This video is great - thanks! & I'd love a video about the Korngold concerto.

[@t.h.2129]

Thank you for highlighting features of the playing of these great violinists! So exciting!😋

[@Amywithlove148]

Thanks for this information …. Very helpful

[@pradagio_]

How fortunate to have these great artists explain by another great artist! The editing was delightful. Took quite a chence on the pun though!

[@davidoliver9886]

Please do a review of the Sibelius Concerto. Please compare the epic Vengerov performance , conductor Barenboim with the Chicago SO. This to me a defining performance of the Sibelius. Stay blessed.

[@StanEby1]

You are a born and irrepressible teacher. I love how you think. I like Oistrakh and Ormandy. It's another day at the office for them, but Oistrakh's genius still comes through.

[@JakeYeung]

I will never get bored of watching experts commenting on other experts's work. Keep it up!

[@greywolfwalking6359]

The concert trailer..is a good slice of the level of the production to be shown.... Thanks for sharing !! 👍🐺🧙‍♂️🦊🤙

[@fishnfiddle1]

I like them all but this recording by Vengorov! OMG! Perhaps it’s a reflection of his maturity, I don’t know. I think the first recording I heard was by Isaac Stern, but my paragon for this concerto was Henryk Szeryng. I played different movements of this concerto with my high school orchestra and I found my mood and life experiences ( at 17 😄) colored through performances. When I played the second movement I dedicated the performance ( the hubris!) to my beloved abuelo who lay in his deathbed. I was playing HIS father’s violin (still do). I was so absorbed in my grief at losing my grandfather that the piece played itself as I was transported out of the gymnasium and thought only of my imminent loss. I guess I did okay since I woke to a standing ovation and an immediate offer of a scholarship to university. Thanks for this great comparison Ray!

[@bindak]

Thank you for this side-by-side comparison! Not a musician - and your explanations are super helpful. I never realized there was such a HUGE difference between interpretations

[@lucienazario2786]

It's so wonderful hearing you explain and describe the important passages of the concerto. It helps violinists understand the music and play it better. Your untiring endeavor to help the musicians out there is something invaluable. Thanks to you, Ray. 👏🤩👍

[@quaver1239]

This channel is delightful. Vengerov gets into my soul; my entire being responds to how he says what he says. Thank you, Ray Chen!

[@salionshatterstar]

How can I choose just one favorite performer's style? They each portray a different emotion, and I like all of them!

[@chani_m]

I enjoy this series of video so much! Learned a lot from comparing different interpretations or even just different tones that the masters produce on the violin... I'd love to see showdowns of Brahms and Korngold!!!

[@silentstringquartet]

This is also my favorite violin concerto of all time. My favorite performance is by unknown violinists name Helena Spitkova. Absolutely mindblowing.

[@tlmwoh]

im recording my mendelssohn tmrw and coincidentally this video pops up on my recommended 😭thank you ray

[@wongfred9648]

This video shows that even Ray is a famous soloist, but he is still wants to improve himself. That's a very good atitude

[@alexandremaurel9159]

Ray Chen, this is an awesome class for understanding musicality, thank you so much for making classical music accessible. Even for the experts your comments are so interesting 🙏🙏🙏 bravo! And thank you again so much!! 🎉

[@magkal8690]

Vengerov is Russian, so it's natural for him to add a little bit of melancholy, that really makes the obvious difference between him and the others.

[@user-ll1ju3cw7r]

就如听了Perlman的柴小协费城版本之后人们会想：哦，这个曲子就是为他写的啊。没有帕尔曼那样雄浑的力量，就无以表达俄罗斯人（不是普京的俄罗斯）特有的深厚的深沉的情感。没有Hahn跳跃的弓法与从容精准的指法，我们就难以感受到作曲家试图表达的对年轻女性优雅甜美的倾慕，甚至她偶尔的恶作剧，也让人忍俊不禁。我听过很多艺术家的包括陈锐先生的门小协，Hahn的版本更是听过不止百遍。郁闷的时候甚至无聊的时候，让我内心愉快和宁静。感谢艺术家在作品中找到最好的自己并传达和感染听众😇

[@Oka33]

More videos like this would be wonderful

[@nancyjfs]

A while back Brett and Eddy reviewed Ray's Mendelssohn, plus Hilary, Anne Sophie Mutter and Augustin Hadelich. They praised Ziyu He and of course, Eddy praised Brett's (then upcoming) performance. Between Ray's reviews and theirs it is a wonderful dive into what makes all of them great!

[@yaoxiao5859]

Like this kind of video Ray! Want more!!

[@sertol3562]

Heifetz is the best!

[@KirstenMarit]

Love your candid comments about your own past performances. Absolutely artist magnificence! Kids take note: when you screw up - artist privilege! Keep going!

[@Wtnwdl]

They are all so GREAT, Hard to choose one but if I have to choose… MV. I felt kinda sad, and it was beautiful.

[@bgcellozone]

Love this format- would do these listening style shoot outs with my advanced high school students - they were always some of my favorite lessons to do because it helped students develop their ears and taste and we got to study interpretation and try things out. Also gave us great reference points for interpretation on future pieces too, to call back to

[@simon0yeung]

They are all wonderful. However, I would also recommend Oistrakh’s version as well

[@adi_demian]

❤❤❤❤ I wish I could give thousands of likes to this video instead of just one! This is genius! Thank you, Ray, for sharing (Szeryng?🤣) your insights on concerto and performances. This is brilliant on so many levels, it blew my mind!

[@lawrencerosecomposer]

Incredibly interesting and it really illustrates the importance of interpretation and shows that truly great music permits and merits different approaches. How can anyone claim that this or that performance is THE way to play a given piece? Thank goodness that all these great performers give us such different insights.