陈美 Vanessa Mae - The original Four Seasons

留学生 · 发表于 2010-3-15 09:58:20

本帖最后由 Rocker 于 2015-9-8 16:33 编辑

Vanessa Mae's interpretation of The Four Seasons at first seems fresh, imaginative and innovative. Then, when the same tone is carried through every movement in every season, it begins to wear on you, much like listening to a conversation between two high school sophomores. While Mae's imaginative trills add to the flavour of the opening to "Spring," she in turn rushes through the piece, possibly out of the fear of dragging into boredom. And perhaps it would become such were she to take her time, as I suspect Mae has developed a bit of a flitty style. At least with this album. (I do, however, absolutely adore her Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot on the China Girl album.)
Compared to other recordings of the Four Seasons, or as another reviewer referred to it, "The War-Horse," Vanessa Mae's is either a take-it-or-leave-it. There are undoubtedly some cheap recordings out there, devoid of feeling or personality, made solely to provide an affordable recording to the untrained ear. While Mae's does indeed have personality, it's the wrong one for me at least. However, this may be one of the more accessible recordings for non-classical music fans. Yet, compared to Anne-Sophie Mutter's 1999 release, it seems to be more elementary and less-explored emotionally. A monochramatic recording of four concertos bursting with colour.
As for the other recordings on this CD, Tartini's "Devil's Trill" (a veritable Spencer Tracy to Vivaldi's Kate Hepburn) is a bit drier and mostly Mae's exploration of the piece. Her remix, as it were, of the piece, however makes for a somewhat interesting pop-ification of Tartini, yet, like her Four Seasons, wears on quickly. Also on the recording is the unfortunately mis-placed arrangement of "Reflection" from the Disney film Mulan. Whether or not it was a nod to her Chinese heritage, it is undoubtedly out of place on a classical album. Especially one subtitled "The Italian Album." Moreso when Mae has also released "The Chinese Album."
To the general classical music fan, give it a go. You'll find some things you like, others you don't. Those with discriminating taste, however, may be better off with another Four Seasons with a fuller-bodied sound and more to offer.