The Best Paganini Cadenza - Philippe Hirschhorn [Live, 1967]
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Published 2022-07-08
Things to notice:
- Look at how low his right arm is, especially when acquiring the G string. Made even more extreme by the fact that his instrument is very flat on his shoulder. I think he's the most extreme of anyone I've seen in that regard. Notice how his hand/fingers "sink" into the string as a result of this right arm anticipation.
- Is he tense or is he loose? Of course, he's loose, otherwise, you wouldn't hear what you hear. But, look at how immovable his violin appears. On first glance you might think he's tense and gripping the violin for dear life. After all, there isn't much in the way of 'organic swaying' up/down/sideways with the instrument. The violin is sitting on an immovable cloud, and then hands are dancing around it in perfect harmony. You can see the result of an absolute obsession with the fundamentals of technique. Putting everything in its place without force.
Live recording with enhanced audio. Brussels 1967, after he won the gold medal at the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
Footage provided by MeloClassic. They have amazing selections of restored rare recordings. Check out their website here: www.meloclassic.com/
All Comments (21)
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I cannot understand why this is the first time in my life that I am introduced to this incredible violinist. This amazing man was cheated out of fame. I should have known his name since grade school. Thank you for posting this🙏🏼❤
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Hirschhorn did not receive the recognition he deserved despite winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition and receiving the highest praise from Grumiaux, Menuhin, and Kogan. I was reluctant to use the "best" designation for any violinist until I was introduced to Hirschhorn's playing as an undergraduate student. Thank you for posting.
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I looked him up. Recordings are rare, which may be part of the reasons why he isn't better known. His play is nothing short of brilliant.
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This rare performance is a masterpiece. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this artist and all I can say is he’s superb and his technique is flawless! 🙌
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''I have wept only three times in my life; the first time when my earliest opera failed, the second time when, with a boating party, a truffled turkey fell into the water, and the third time when I first heard Paganini play''. Gioacchino Rossini
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Things to notice: - Look at how low his right arm is, especially when acquiring the G string. Made even more extreme by the fact that his instrument is very flat on his shoulder. I think he's the most extreme of anyone I've seen in that regard. Notice how his hand/fingers "sink" into the string as a result of this right arm anticipation. Pause at 1:15 to see an example of how extreme it actually is. - Is he tense or is he loose? Of course, he's loose, otherwise, you wouldn't hear what you hear. But, look at how immovable his violin appears. On first glance you might think he's tense and gripping the violin for dear life. After all, there isn't much in the way of 'organic swaying' up/down/sideways with the instrument. The violin is sitting on an immovable cloud, and then hands are dancing around it in perfect harmony. You can see the result of an absolute obsession with the fundamentals of technique. Putting everything in its place without force.
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This the most perfect Sauret cadenza I ever heard or seen!
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Philippe Hirshhorn the single most under-rated violinist in history! I personally think his most amazing recording is Ravel Tzigane and the Fugue from Bach's 2nd violin sonata.
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He deserved a standing ovation
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I studied with a student of him. In Brussels. I would recognise this right hand way miles away! She was so hard on me. When I realized what she gave me and wanted to thank, I heard she had past away. Ulka Gorniak. She had also this care for the details and perfectionism of Hirschhorn. Perfectionism with humility. Respect for music. Thanks for this jewels. Pity so much people forgot about the pre-cd musicians, when the authenticity was a value. This Sunday I perform 6, 7 and 8 Beethoven sonatas. Today rehearsing still thinking half of the time, right wrist low, don’t loose it!!
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The just-another-day-in-the-office-look while playing litterally all a human being could ever perform on a violin... this performance is just amazing in every single aspect of it
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I love he takes just the slightest amount of time between starting some passages! I feel a lot of violinists rush to the next to appear virtuosic, but instead they sound messy (especially in a large hall).
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I've never heard of this violinist before, why!? I grew up hearing about Heifetz, Zuckerman, Stern and Perlman. Philippe Hirchhorn is a masterful technician!!!
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he was 21 years old back then.JUST WOW!
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Как приятно слушать без кривляний телом и лицом.Играет МАСТЕР !!!
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like many others here I'd never even heard of this man.. utterly breath taking.. not jsut the technique but the musicality that was guiding every choice.. astounding..
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Having heard that Concerto--and that Cadenza--ten million times in my life on recording or live from sitting afar, this was the first time I've just actually seen it played from up-close, seeing exactly what the hands go through to do it. Oh, my God!!!
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Это был, без преувеличения, ВЕЛИКИЙ СКРИПАЧ!!! И к тому же, необыкновенно обаятельный красавец!!! Память о Филиппе - незабвенна! ❤❤❤
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I like how he really sustains the chords. A lot of the recordings I have listened to seem to rush through them but what hirschhron does makes the cadenza feel more musical rather than a showy display of technical ability, at least for me. Truly a legendary violinist.
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His intonation is perfect. Unbelievable performance!
