Who played it better: Joshua Bell or Hilary Hahn?

Piece: Sibelius Violin Concerto Movement III Op. 47 D Minor

#classicalmusic #violin #joshuabell #hilaryhahn #violinconcerto #whoplayeditbetter #orchestra #sibelius

[PlugInKali]

I personally prefer Hilary's because Joshua did a couple of things that weren't quite to my taste BUT if you're asking who PLAYED better, there are no winners here. Both are unbelievable talented musicians who play with absolute perfection.

[thevictoriousviolinist]

Bell was more expressive but Hahn was more precise- both are worth aspiring to

[lanewang]

Hahn has everything under perfect control and Bell brings out the crazy/dramatic character more. I love

[janemarriott]

I loved Josh’s passion and Hilary’s articulation

[ultimore]

What a gift to be able to hear two entirely different but excellent takes on the same piece of music.

[guillermoramirez]

Both are awesome. Bell’s recording is micked further away and there is a sense of larger space in that recording.

[caroly]

Hanh creates the controlled tension feel that is intended in this part of the music. Very well played.

[pennaco]

Hilary's perfect pitch shines through so clearly, I just have to side with her's.

[ianlin]

Hilary cuz I’m biased but it’s also just an otherworldly level of articulation and cleanliness

[AnnieT]

I'm grateful for just being able to listen to them.

[kapitankapital]

Have to give it to Hahn here, something about her performance feels like the music is almost trying to escape, and that's one of my absolute favourite vibes to get in a performance.

[ack]

Something which makes Hahn stand out so much farther than Bell to me was in the last bit- you could literally *feel* that phrasing, the way it pulls and leaps up is like riding a rollercoaster, it's so full of life! Bell is a great violinist, don't get me wrong, but something about Hahn's articulation and phrasing makes it feel like you're on a pirate ship in stormy seas then all of a sudden you see light on the horizon or something. Bell's is also great, there was great work with the gradual growth of the crescendo to the last note, but it doesn't impact me the same way that Hahn's does.

[ruthmckee]

I'd be happy to play like either of them

[pauldeck]

There is something uniquely compelling about Hahn's vibrato that no one else can match.

[jfalk]

Yes, Bell was a bit more expressive. They're both magnificent.

[wric]

First half goes to Joshua, 2nd half goes to Hahn.

[markroberts]

Let’s just agree that they both are great, that we are fortunate to be alive now to hear them, and that we would gladly got to a concert in which either of them appeared.

[mmccrownus]

Something about Hillary pierces the heart

[russellbrickey]

They are both awesome. I am always in awe.

[sibelvio]

Hilary will always destroy every musician when it comes to Sibelius. As a child, I had disdain toward her for her less flashy performance style. But as I mature as a musician, her focus on not letting physical expression undermine intonation and sound quality is what I aspire to in my playing.