Ray Chen or Augustin... which do you prefer?

Piece: Paganini Caprice No. 21 in A major
#paganini #violin #whoplayeditbetter

[@pauldeck4500]

With Hadelich you can hear the clear pitch of every note.

[@alaalfa8839]

You are right. but as Dr. Joe Dispenza says on his many seminars "Comparison and competition in companies is an old way of thinking, it separates people from each other.....People are supposed to love each other hep each other grow and community of people working LIKE ONE ORGANISM....Its where the th ereal love empathy gratitude comes from.... By the way Augustin Hadelich is a great guy and he will also make recitals helping new young virtuosos to learn some techniques.... It seem you can not separate a teacher from student, if "community of loving caring emphatic people are supposed to work as one organism" or animals work that way they create one energy one community as Dr. Joe Dispenza says "group of birds flying to the same direction" but of course sometimes is also healthy to create the own ideas, its about a freedom......... by the way Dr. Bruce Lipton says community is very important today, because if you are a part of loving and caring community you can not be so easily manipulated by media, tv, politicians, corporations.... They can easily manipulate people who have nobody to rely on.

[@anafox421]

Yes and August has way better intonation. Ray has so many videos where his clarity and intonation suffer at very difficult passages

[@pauldeck4500]

@@anafox421 I don't think my ears are good enough to criticize Ray Chen's intonation.

[@anafox421]

@@pauldeck4500 mine are and his mistakes are apparent. He’s great but not even in my top 10 violinists

[@pauldeck4500]

@@anafox421 Not in my top ten list either, but it's not because of his intonation -- for me. I don't think the judges of the Queen Elizabeth got it wrong, but then, Hadelich wasn't among his competitors, nor Zuckerman, Hahn, or Mutter. My own opinion is that Ray needs violin-playing to be more about the music and less about Ray. There are relatively few touring soloists that I would describe that way, but another is Sarah Chang. Ray needs a new handsome young star to come along and knock him off of his social-media pedestal so that he can focus on the music. I do adore his Vitali Chaconne video though.

[@ianhuangncubed]

Reaction to Ray: "Wow, this piece is hard" Reaction to Hadelich: "Damn, this guy is good"

[@kishor7889]

315 likes and no comments, let me fix that Plus you are true

[@zimtmitzucker_]

Ikr????

[@lovekids6835]

@ianhuangncube How can you interpret their inner voice?? I think your comment is not good, because you put someone down just because you don't like their way! they both worked hard to get to that point! your comment is so easy to say without thinking! like the thoughts of a naive and arrogant person!

[@dcc70]

I feel Augustin had better bow control, resulting in cleaner sound

[@ianhuangncubed]

​@@lovekids6835 ​ *How can you interpret their inner voice??* True, I can't go inside their minds and know their inner voice, but I can use what I hear and see to interpret what they mean. Ray's playing style is more aggressive and tense, contributing to a harsher, grittier sound, while Hadelich uses on looser bow with a smooth and delicate tone, which makes his playing seem more effortless. I think the point of Paganini should be to "wow" the audience with the player's virtuosity, and Hadelich simply does that better here in my opinion. *I think your comment is not good, because you put someone down just because you don't like their way!* I'm not trying to put Ray's playing down, simply showing my differences in reaction to each of them. Some people may prefer Ray's more aggressive playing, and that's fine. It all depends on your own value system. I was just pointing out what I thought made each performance stand out. *they both worked hard to get to that point!* I never said that they didn't; they're world-class musicians, of course they worked hard. As violinist I know how much effort they had to prepare to get to this level and I respect both immensely. Nonetheless I'm allowed to provide my own thoughts and critiques. *your comment is so easy to say without thinking! like the thoughts of a naive and arrogant person!* My comments aren't simply coming from nowhere, they're insights gained from many years of playing the violin. Mind you, I never said that either violinist was better than the other, so I'm not sure what you are mad about.

[@phrszzz]

i just love seeing hadelich one of the greatest in our times

[@JustFiddler]

aku juga suka dia

[@antalbodis1257]

The dumbest and most unrespectful thing is to compare musicians.They are incredible artist.They have their own style.And they are good friends.I know you could compare,but we have to repect their interpretation.They are both extraordinary players.

[@封嶺]

So basically you’re Ray Chen’s fan, get it

[@shreyaaaxni]

​@@封嶺so basically yk nothing about music

[@ChiefHerzensCoach]

agree - i listen to both of them and sometimes i prefer the interpretation of the one and an other day of the other. depends on my mood and much more. i am so gratefull that we are offered such a buffet of the most beautifull music nowadays.

[@agusbiyanto7912]

So menuhin and elizabeth competitions (and lots other too) are dumb?

[@user_4146]

@@agusbiyanto7912 i'd say it's not the comparison that's "dumb" per se, just that while comparing technique is fine, i don't think we should weigh interpretation so heavily when saying "this musician is better than that one" (imho)

[@arissudibyo8188]

both are great in their own way. I feel ray have very deep emotion and character showed strongly in his sound production. Yet Hadelich is very sensitive in sound clarity and perfection, very delicate tone. personally my emotion love Ray's musical expression

[@tsaoandy9732]

First of all, two are different players, Hadelich is a monster, so musical he makes really technical phrases into music, I must say Hadelich’s strength is spiccato his timing is just unreal and so even, however to my taste he tends to play everything very percussive, and that’s his style which adds more energy, Hilary Hahn can play spiccato very well but her bow control in connecting the notes for me is the best after Heifetz. Chen is a player that is growing on me, he started out as a competition player, but he really challenges himself, there’s no better one comparing these 2 clips, just different so people with different taste start to divide opinions. Chen also has improved a lot over the years in terms of phrasing and I went through conservatory study playing the violin, trust me when Ray Chen published his wineiawski violin concerto (the less known one but crazy difficult) for me that is quite a statement, not only he pulled it off, like all the great violinists he was able to phrase it to suit musical palete so it doesn’t sound robotic. And I guess due to social media, I don’t think he wants to prove anything to anyone but social media kind of exposes all the amazing virtuosos online that it’s inevitable to compare. If I’m a virtuoso violinist I would find inspiration in other playing as well, and improve my technique or reinvent myself, as this new generation is about reinventing through micro phrasing, in a very detailed way, I find it quite different compared to the old school.

[@Scoutbq1l]

Close your eyes and listen. Which would you rather purchase and listen to at home? Augustin for the win.

[@Rad-MindMatters]

They're both an inspirations to any violinist in the whole word. Their heart and soul are violin. They're both amazing but have different approach. I love the aggressiveness of Ray and a more refined play of Augustine. Ray Chen innovative approach to music, incorporating new techniques and interpretations that surely captivate audiences and keep classical music relevant in modern times.

[@nadiarey4196]

Honestly, I like both for different reasons. They don't even want to achieve the same thing with this piece, which is what makes both worthwhile. I think I'm not wrong to say, I felt more things with Chen, and I chuckled more with Hadelich

[@BadViola]

Look, I love Ray Chen, but Augustin Hadelich is some kind of violin god.

[@user-nk5ch8db3k]

Both are excellent violinists

[@pneron2032]

Ray Chen. You have to watch both performances (21st caprice of Paganini). Chen's is heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@giulianageorges1445]

Exceptionnels tous les deux. Magnifiques ! Extraordinaire travail ! Hadelich est le laser à qui rien n'échappe. Tout est si parfait. Alors que Ray Chen carresse, respire, et fait entendre la douceur malgré le rythme effréné. Tout est parfait 🌷 Vraiment fascinants tous les deux.

[@marinalopez9765]

Ray foreverr

[@tobiasljungstrom6406]

Hadelich hits it!

[@Tennisisreallyfun]

Hadelich makes it sound cleaner and more natural. What I appreciate is how he really lays into every note and gives it a chance to sound cleanly and with some character. A good performance, but neither one has a particularly warm or rich sound. And trust me, this is something that the greatest violinists still achieve, even with the most technically difficult pieces. Itzhack Perlman is a good example, but Leonid Kogan in particular gives a brilliant rendition of this caprice. I would listen to him to see how it should be done.

[@leorusso6784]

Augustin, every day!

[@carolwilliams5337]

I like the recording of Chen better, but the recording settings are very different so it is hard to compare

[@ElsweyrDiego]

yes, the audio catches more ressonance from Hadelich, and it's more dry on Ray Chen. so the ressonance can make the sound clearer. but i bet chen's violin is resonating as well, the mic just didn't catch that.

[@ethannewell5036]

Team Augustine 👇

[@tanjanovicic2926]

AMAZING ☘☘☘💛🕊

[@dadamanou]

If I close my eyes, Hadelich plays violon more than Chen. The position of cameraman makes a little bit, our judgements.

[@helenaeinsfeld5797]

Os dois são Incríveis!!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tatianaberg7262]

Лучше артикуляция у Augustin.❤

[@songsabai3794]

One sounds of struggle with something to prove...the other, clear, crisp with joyful flow.

[@Vhcp411]

Ray Chen uallll soltou o sentimento nas corsas sem vularizar para ficar mais facil😮 show !!! 👏👏👏👏✨💐🇧🇷

[@makassarandsouthsulawesi5878]

Both are great no doubt

[@ALBundy73]

Augustin s sound IS perfect

[@drlnielsen]

Very different sounds. We are lucky to have both

[@richardpotter6313]

Holy cow ! Do you want an A or B pick or a genuine choice and the reason behind it ? Both those folk owned their instruments. Im dumbfounded beyond expression !

[@ugochukwudaniel820]

Augustin anytime

[@Oliver-e6e]

Augustin Hadelich every time

[@RachaelLongLastName]

I think Ray’s hesitation before the arpeggiated section adds some nice flavour to the piece and gives it a destination and draws in the listener. I think Augustin’s interpretation is more technically accurate but less immersive.

[@kittyblaine7917]

Wow….both incredible….I’ll not compare👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@elianabarros6948]

Team Hadelich❤

[@victorvillacis6026]

Augustin's feeling superior

[@Wade-h5m]

I love both. From this I prefer Augustin

[@veronicaanton695]

Ray Chen's passion

[@nellieou]

They both have their strengths. Hadelich is very clean and each note can be heard but Chen is much better with contrasting the legato part with the spiccato. I think I prefer Chen for this reason of exaggerated contrast.

[@Surfgoose37]

The real question is. Are we comparing performers or violins ??? 🧐

[@UmedjonRuzimadov]

Hadelich❤

[@VictorOrdu]

Augustin

[@elisinger4172]

Chen was too aggressive and scratchy. Augustin was nice , clean and musical

[@jorgebrizuela33]

Excelente

[@Will67267]

Hadelich of course. Musical, crystal clear technique. No contest! Chen is more of a showman like Lang Lang.

[@andreasanchezarroyo604]

You really need to start saying the name of the pieces on reels, It is driving me crazy to look for them!

[@kitarcokomata961]

Augustin

[@tomatehostil]

Hadelich absolutely!

[@Dave_McCree]

Ray Chen team here !!!

[@RandalWilliams-rm6hf]

Why?

[@Dave_McCree]

@@RandalWilliams-rm6hf cause is better duh

[@linglingss_-]

both

[@owlley]

I think Ray has this one, just sounds a bit more polished!

[@safwatgerges3340]

Augustin

[@pujiharyanto9996]

I feel that Hadelich make it more efisien and ray chen make it more emotional color. They both have different interpreration still if we talk about super fast and difficult note Puka Karoly is the king🤴

[@bibimimi5556]

Two Artists ! Augustin is a little bit more nervous ! 😮😮😮

[@rotemtelshachar4154]

They both amazing! But its handelich this time

[@Constitution1789]

Augustin.

[@tenfighterj8571]

I'm a big Augustin fan but tbh i liked Reys interpretation a bit better this time

[@dorianmonroy3839]

I actually prefer Ray here. I like the aggressiveness of his attack.

[@RobertCruzOficial]

Hadelich..óbviooo

[@alejandronarvaez9806]

Very different sounds and approaches thus hard to compare, Handelich's sound is cleaner and has a better instrument control, personally I still prefer Ray Chen's interpretation

[@waxwaine]

Chen, every note has its own space. Hadelich sounds like he was on a hurry

[@malialaguisa4797]

Hadelich is so clean. Sorry no comparison. All my respect to chen cause he’s an amazing violinist and some of his other piece interpretations may rival hadelich, but with this piece hadelich reigns supreme

[@mikehughes6582]

They're both very good but I prefer August.

[@shumyama471]

後者が好みだな。前者は超絶技巧やってる感。後者は"音楽"として成立させてる。

[@Sambrewer26]

James ehnes

[@mariogonzalez2486]

AHUSTIN REALLY FEEL NOTES

[@WhistleblowerRIP]

Ray all the way!

[@Alfa-q9e]

Both are necesary for their diferent interprétation and good.

[@squallihoussainijaafar3818]

I'm not an expert but for me Ray's up-bow staccato sounds better.

[@Cassy84744]

Hadelich ❤

[@your-americandoc6577]

Ray Chen

[@KADCR]

Hadelich has the cleanest sound in the world

[@58Barroco]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@M_SC]

Not here

[@bernardomendoza3621]

Michael rabin has the cleanest sound in the world

[@randylazer2894]

@@58Barroco I don't think that statement is something to laugh at, particularly with some of his recent performances, whether of Tchaikovsky or one of the most difficult pieces, the Ligeti concerto. Maybe Vengerov and Hillary Hahn would be two of the best for clean sound, but on really demanding pieces, Hadelich is there although I would say he has done better than this performance

[@tmanzzz]

Hilary hahn is better

[@quinnkerry-rockov4]

Augustin

[@rosevartesouza926]

Hadelich plays and sounds more natural. With Chen playing, I’d say: “this is hard to play”. With Hadelich playing, I’d say: anyone can play this” (what obviously is not true). In other words, shows better control.

[@sfaballman6467]

Interesting opinion, but i would personally say hadelich’s interpretation is way too robotic/linear. Some may prefer the extra clarity over creativity, but in this case ray doesnt seem to struggle as much as everyone is saying he is. As a plus he does do the staccato as written for that one run

[@avemeva]

@@sfaballman6467exactly.

[@OopsSpaghetti69420]

@@sfaballman6467fax

[@Nyxiedoesstuffig]

Ray is aggressive with it and Hadelich is aggressive yet it sounds so clean and sweet

[@trumpjason8149]

What is this piece?

[@Y3llow_Submarin3]

paganini@@trumpjason8149

[@FeanaroX7]

​@@trumpjason8149Paganini Caprice 21 (second half)

[@HansLaros]

Well said.

[@orneladume8347]

soo true

[@josee1984]

Hadelich has just gotten better over time, what a guy

[@orneladume8347]

work work work

[@YatesViolin]

An interesting comparison. Ive always been a huge fan of Hadelich and in general i prefer his playing. However, i like ray chen’s phrasing a little more. Hadelich’s tone and clarity are beyond approach but Chen’s phrasing makes a little more musical sense to my ear. I also think i might like Chen’s up bow staccato more than Hadelich’s (which kind of seems shocking). Hard to compare these two, they are drastically different players

[@seramic26]

couldnt agree more

[@tre5895]

Tyyy

[@MattB90]

You can tell that Ray always has interpretation at the top of mind... He's probably forming an emotional story based on the music and trying to convert that to us lol

[@jacc88888]

Great comment. Not many people commenting on phrasing and musical interpretation in these comments. Guess most are violin nerds (like me)

[@sushfire5243]

Valid and logical reasoning 👍

[@dannyboy2267]

In this comparison, both of them played the piece very well. However, I think Chen's recent recordings of him playing this piece have shown that he has become more reckless with his bow arm, which leads to him crunching and scratching the sound a lot more than he used to. Hadelich, on the other hand, has, in my opinion, gotten better and better over the last couple of years. I think Hadelich has also been a lot more consistent with his masterful playing, whereas Chen has been on a technical (some would also say musical) decline. I don't really have a preference for this particular comparison, but in general, I think Hadelich probably plays this caprice better than Chen. Both are still fantastic players nonetheless!

[@robertfilasjr.5216]

I was about to type a really long comment, but you beat me to it!

[@ottokarvonschnallenburg2572]

So, I don't have to write my comment

[@BjornWilliams]

Def in the right arm and def victory to Augustine

[@fiddlelove5889]

Hadelich❤🎉

[@marykier]

Agreed!

[@maefukushima1231]

Augustin Hadelich is my favorite violinist. You can clearly hear every note, tone is beautiful, and he plays like he is delighted at the beautiful sounds he is making; this is what every violinist should strive for.

[@JustFiddler]

he is my hero😊

[@ViolinfanaticOriginal]

I love Ray's version. There is something nice about a little dirtiness in the playing, especially in virtuosic passages. Too clean can make a fiery piece sound boring. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@OopsSpaghetti69420]

Someone who gets it! This is so true in so many ways

[@blancavalle1170]

Hmmmmm I didn’t see it that way at first, but I get it, what you are saying makes sense, as I was wondering why Ray has been playing “dirtier” in the past year or so, and is not like he is loosing it because he is more than capable to play it cleanly but he chooses not to. I gotta admit, I’m curious to hear Hilary Hahn tackle the same piece…

[@MattB90]

I will say this was definitely true of Oistrakh... Many times he was so dirty what is playing at loose on the verge of being downright reckless and out of control... Great way to describe it, ray also usually nails the interpretation for me so I can at least feel something from the music... Augustin sounds like he's playing in a sterile lab each note clean and clear and accurate (and the white labcoat-like suit doesn't hurt lol), I'm sure that's that they both were going for and kudos to both

[@SuperFramps]

Ray chen has so much emotion through the violin i peraonally think hesbetter.

[@jcortese3300]

Hadelich -- he sounds like one of the early 20th century celebrity virtuosos. He has what I can only call an aristocratic negligence about him, where he looks like he's just whipping the piece out crisp as a pleated bunk before breakfast.

[@DityaSangGita]

I liked the darker tone Chen made in this piece, it's like hearing beautiful bird songs from a distance deep in the dense forest in early morning. Sounds natural and sweet. Hadelich's is brighter and he articulates everything neatly, everything is so spot on, only I don't seem to like such quality for this part, sounds more like a hectic morning rush (apology, my childlike imagination😅). But they are all both great musician with wellmaintained skills. Kudos to both! 😊

[@Teladian2]

Chen does not a darker sound. He sounds shrill and metalic.

[@pranavgainz4180]

Hadelich just has this unmatched crisp and resonant sound with great intonation. I dont know if there is a better violinist.

[@bigthey1827]

Love Ray Chen and think hes fantastic, but Augustin Hadelich is simply on another level as a player.

[@lilianabartosi7356]

Why do I have to choose?I love music!

[@Vile137nite]

Clearly not a violinist

[@lovekids6835]

@Vile137nite You clearly judge people just by 1 comment!!

[@lilianabartosi7356]

@@lovekids6835????

[@Vile137nite]

True, i can tell you and I would never get along@@lovekids6835

[@nitchawisitphongton7930]

I would say Hadelich 🇨🇭

[@twoblink]

I love my boy Ray; but he's a little bit crunchier..

[@FightOn207]

It is a little bit about how they are miced It would sound better in a hall ;)

[@JChung-rz8ci]

Augustine Hadelich 👍🏻

[@orlandosanidad6342]

Hard to compare they’re both my idols

[@rusliraharja7661]

Hadelich mawon mas

[@billace90]

Agustín all the way.

[@lecidcampeador]

Agustín forever

[@danfrei4362]

Hadelich of course! His sound is much sweeter and crispier.

[@edwardseymour4930]

Both are excellent readings… tone qualities are different, though… Hadelich’s tends to be sweeter on crescendos and diminuendos. Chen tends toward a warmer and broader tone for contrasting dynamic levels… happy to hear BOTH of them…!❤️

[@Teladian2]

Completely disagree. Chen sounds scratchy and his tone is shrill. He also has no heart or style its juast notes.

[@lovekids6835]

@Teladian2 how do you see people's heart just because he play on his own way, your choice doesn't have anything to do with his play!

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

Hadelich is just so much better compared to Ray here. The notes are clearer and more precise and the phrasing stands out. It sounds like Ray is scratching around feeling for the notes on the difficult passages.

[@hannelievanderwalt2805]

Hadelich is brilliant

[@suedavis3525]

It is always Augustin for me. Incredible musician.

[@trumpjason8149]

What is the name of this piece ?

[@ashleyxoxo.q]

*the people in the background: i have been defeated.. :(*

[@tadejbenedik2201]

It is hard to say, but in my opinion Hadelich is better

[@seannyandme]

Hadelich 100%. More in tune and more musical, better sound and overall quality, less unnecessary show. That's what an "artist" sounds like versus a "prodigy", hahaha...