Monday, October 25, 2010

"Individual Sound"

I can't really understand this violinist's concept of sound. I could dismiss this as a joke, but, if you watch further, beyond the first piece (which, for all I know, could be written call for a sort of vibrato that is hyper-extended in both directions), you will hear (if you can stand it) that it is her "individual sound" (as a conductor describes it at 2:51). I just don't get it. What are these people talking about?

7 comments:

peregrine said...

When singers use this sort of exaggerated vibrato, it's called "wobble" -- and that's not a compliment! Ugh! It seems out of control and hugely egocentric. Very distracting and unmusical. Out of keeping with the period.

A.C. Douglas said...

Yes, it's a joke -- unintended, but a joke nevertheless. That vibrato-cum-portamento she uses is thoroughly grotesque, and a stylistic solecism for all but the Hoffmann piece where it may actually be called for by the composer (he's a New Music composer, after all). But I can't speak to that as I know nothing of Hoffmann's work.

ACD
http://www.soundsandfury.com/

Elaine Fine said...

Why are these people speaking about her playing in such complementary terms? What's going on here? Don't they realize how silly they seem?

pattyoboe said...

I keep thinking this just has to be a mockumentary ... I can't believe someone really thinks this is okay. Oh dear ....

Anonymous said...

Some of the dialog reminds me of a (bad) "artist's statement" at a gallery: nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., remarkably free of content.

Some of the playing is odd, especially, as you say, the portamento and wide vibrato.

Bill in Dallas

Anonymous said...

yup, this one caught the attention of the folks at Cello Chat too:

http://cellofun.yuku.com/topic/11127

Gail said...

This has to be a joke. How can the conductor compare her to any of the great violinists? It sounds like she uses it to disguise her inability to hit the notes. If any of my violin students had used vibrato like that I would have started them over to break the bad habit. If I were to see her in concert, I would be forced to walk out to save my sanity.