Bach: The Concerto Album | Johann Sebastian Bach, Lara St. John, ...

Bach: The Concerto Album | Johann Sebastian Bach, Lara St. John, ... | My Favorite Classical Album

classical music:

Bach: The Concerto...

	Bach: The Concerto Album Johann Sebastian Bach, Lara St. John, ... Ancalagon, 2002 average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Lara St John - sit up and take notice

Often criticised for the artwork on her CDs this disc by the 'junoesque' Ms St John deserves far more than a cursory look at the cover. I urge you to really listen to this disc. In this day of bland, formulaic Big Record Company marketing this disc stands out for what is actually on it - don't judge it by its cover.

You may know these works like old friends but Lara's playing makes you sit up and listen and awakens your brain and ears to approaching these works afresh. How often can you say that about any CD in this day and age?

My Favorite Classical Album

I have at least a hundred classical CD's, mostly featuring violin soloists. This is the album I play most often. Rather than playing the music, Lara St. John is the conduit through which Bach's spirit has chosen to express his art.

for more information click here

Can't judge a book by its cover

You certainly cannot judge a book by its cover. Looking at the picture on the cover of this CD, with Lara St. John looking sensually at the camera, pouting, as her clothes seem to be drawn by gravity, one might expect a disc from the latest Britney Spears wannabe. Lara St. John has deliberately crafted this image, however, in order to attract those who might not purchase classical music. In her first three recordings, all self-produced and published, she has show a rare mastery of violin technique, which makes her more than just a pretty face.

This third recording was released in April 2002, and, at the same time, an announcement was made that St. John has signed a contract with Sony Music. It turns out that her gamble has paid off - she has made it to the majors through a careful combination of image and musical virtuosity. For she is an excellent violinist, there is no doubt about it. This disc, which contains Bach's three violin concertos, and the first sonata for solo violin, shows that the plays these majestic pieces effortlessly. While her accompaniment remains in the background - making this a soloist's discs rather than an ensemble disc - it serves her well.

The sound of her excellent Guadagnini violin is rich and sensuous, and she uses it well in the sonata for solo violin in G minor. In fact, this work is the high point of the album - her recording of the fugue from this sonata shows a great deal of subtlety and a true understanding of the music.

At times the magic slips, though, when St. John sounds more of a virtuoso than a feeling musician. But these moments are rare, and this disc, if anything, is the presage of an interesting career. Perhaps now that she has graduated to the big time, she can dispense with the provocative poses and her discs will be sold for the music - excellent as it is - rather than for her image.

for more information click here

Has Lara St.John reached her Peter's Principle?

There is a common say that, soon or later, one reaches his/hers level of incompetence. I have been following Lara's career, starting with her first and amazing CD some years ago. This is her third record and I have heard it several times in search for her well known art and virtuoso.

What I found, specially in the sonata, was crystal technique but an absense of art. And this is what music is all about.

The concertos are a far resemblance of the vigor and beauty shown in her first CD. There is no doubt that Lara is an amazing performer, but something must be wrong with the way her art is maturing.