Who Played it Better: Hilary Hahn or Joshua Bell? (Part 2)

Piece: Dvorak Violin Concerto in A minor

#hilaryhahn #joshuabell #violin #dvorak

[jamesk]

Hilary moves my heart, Joshua moves his body

[TacticalStrike]

Hilary pinky power for the win 💪 Bell’s rhythm in this passage is quite unstable and the random harmonic didn’t help. Hahn’s articulation is also so superb you can hear every single note clearly. Maybe some people enjoy Bell’s mellow tone but it’s personally not for me. Hahn’s strong and sturdy sound is very apparent and appealing to my taste.

[sophiesaurette]

Literally, I cannot even hear all the notes on Bell's. Hilary will win every time easily.

[samvaillancourtmusic]

Hilary Hahn’s playing is like a pillar. No matter what the foundation is not collapsing and it’s consistently enjoyable. Joshua bell’s playing is variable, but unpredictably exciting. All in all, I believe that foundation overrules flashiness. Hahn wins

[squallihoussainijaafar]

Hilary makes it look very easy, she doesn't need face expressions or body movement.

[josephryantengco]

Hilary's more sophisticated, and Bell's contradictory to his expression - sounds more gentle. Its Hilary for me especially with how clearer each note are.

[HappyGlmre]

Hilary's is perfection. They're both great, but Hilary's is more true to form and not overly lush

[makers_lab]

Hillary was really secure here whereas Joshua rather muffed it up tbh.

[GabrielduViolon]

Notice the contrast in bowing technique between Bell and Hahn.

Bell's approach is light and does not allow as much transfer of weight: his upper arm and forearm are holding everything up, causing his hand to dangle freely from the wrist. He uses a fast bow speed and little pressure. Therefore, he must play closer to the fingerboard, yielding a "fluffy" sound.

Hahn's right hand has fuller contact with the bow and really "sinks into it." Her arm and hand are pouring weight into the strings generously and she remains close to the bridge, using less bow speed. This approach is Hahn's signature and generates an intense, focused, dense tone. The bow direction changes are undeniably crisp, and she is able to articulate very forcefully when needed.

[jamescottone]

Hillary Hahn of course. Bell is always mugging and over acting.

[smoothoperator]

Both are fabulous in their own ways!! Hahn provides a technicaly perfect experience & Bell's violin enunciates all the torments of the mind the music talks about
Bell for me

[MrHorus]

This piece of music gets nailed by Hilary and caressed by Joshua.

[mahmoudabdelfattah]

Hillary sounds louder, faster and more expressive.
Bell sounds deeper, slower and sadder.

[MelindaChaney-Rollins]

With my eyes closed, I listened and I am touched in my soul by the first ❤

[violinarchive]

Hahn's interpretation was more brutally direct, solid, and accurate. In this context, that feels more powerful to me. Bell was too mushy and fluffy.

[georgecarter]

Also, when it comes to solo concerto performances with orchestra, Hilary Hahn is probably the best overall violin soloist. Her consistency across the board is unmatched. Janine Jansen is the best chamber music violinist that has ever been. ❤

[Bilscamp]

Hahn's core sound is a major part of what distinguishes her as a violinist. This type of sound is greatly lacking in players today. I don't want your superficial sound, give me core!

[tttenebre]

bell sounds like a student next to hilary lol

[Shaun_Oh]

Music is not a competition, definitely not at this level.

[daniellesnyder]

I have spent years in orchestras and just being around the most extraordinarily young musician. The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary need of Bell to enter in as masculine as could be and truly bombastic to see that a woman’s deep understanding of what touch is, an instrument as well