Sibelius: Violin Concerto | Ji-Won Song, violin; Carlos Avila, piano

00:26 Introduction by Ji-Won Song
02:58 I. Allegro Moderato
19:51 II. Adagio di Molto
28:24 III. Allegro ma non tanto

2015 Heifetz Institute Artist-In-Residence Ji-Won Song performs a stunning rendition of the Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 by Jean Sibelius, in a piano reduction featuring Heifetz faculty collaborative pianist Carlos Avila. Performed at a "Heifetz Sunday Matinee" concert at the 2015 Heifetz International Music Institute, located on the campus of Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA.

#sibelius #jiwonsong #heifetzinstitute

[elgatosucio]

I dare to say this young girl is one the great one of this opening century. Perfect technique and pure passion. She makes the violin talk, scream and cry. Just sparks coming out of that instrument. Congratulations on the pianist too. They are both incredible musicians.

[richdisilvio]

For a reduced rendition of this concerto, they did a fantastic job. However, its truly sad how tragic and depressing Sibelius's life became, so many years of not composing, lonely and drinking his pain away. What a tremendous loss to the world, as he was clearly one of the greatest composers of his age. Yet, I'm so grateful for all the outstanding works he left behind for humanity, this concerto being just one of them.

[rain-qbxv]

listening to Sibelius's back story really made me see images when listening to this concerto and how it reflected his situation

[BjornHegstad]

I'm currently learning the piano reduction, to play with a violinist. It's a huge work! Carlos Avila plays with superb technique, power and sensitivity. The violinist is in focus, naturally, but I really want to express how grateful I am to have found such a high quality recording! Such a dignified piano accompaniment in duet with a pristine soloist. Wow!

[WyntonG]

I had the privilege of being there, and this performance was absolutely amazing.

[labemolmineur]

I don't think the point was to laugh at the end of her introduction. She was being serious, and Sibelius's tragedy should not be laughable. What a moving performance, from both violinist and pianist. I love that Ji-Won Song is sensitive (and humble) enough to allow the pianist to be a whole orchestra and that this is played intact, no cuts- an intense, continuous story, delivered by two equal artists.

[b.terenceharwick]

I appreciated the preface from Sibelius' own words in life. Virtuoso playing on the violin and a beautiful piano accompaniment.

[cogent]

What a mesmerizing performance! Love the introduction that set the context why this concerto is technically demanding and emotionally draining. I believe playing without an orchestra has its unique challenges: you can't rely on the orchestra to provide the taut support and elevation. On top of that, she's exposed on the all the difficult cadenza-like passages. 5 star performance.

[pablofranciscocoral]

This definitely is one of the best versions of this concerto. The performance was astounding

[luisangelortizcaraballo]

Awesome! I'm totally enthralled with this extraordinary performance full of mystery, drama, passion, melancholy and lyricism! This violin concerto is a great universal masterpiece, and in the hands of these two marvelous young musicians, it evolves into a sublime musical journey: a perfectly balanced expression of divine art! Magnificent achievement... Stunning!

[gordonanderson]

I've listened to this piece a lot by different people - this performance being the most honest and intense. Pretty ballsy really. Not sure if the world is ready for music this good.

[shubhamchavan]

Truly amazing, I felt there are so many stories for every piece that exists. before today whenever I listened to this piece I felt many things like sorrow, war, death, loss, failure etc. but finally got the whole picture.

[binahkang]

It was one of the best performance I have ever seen. Both violinist and the pianist did extraordinary .

[elgatosucio]

Amazing performance. Not a piece of sugar like many performers do. Totally incisor, penetrating, temperamental. One of the best versions.

[savelieffarnaud]

stunning first movement. The audience rewarded it the right way.

[seantecs.a.]

Heifetz can rest in peace. He has excellent successors. All you guys, keep up the good work. As Heifetz always showed, music is not only technique, it is passion and sentiment,

[feralfae]

I'd feel deeply insulted if I prefaced a concerto with the passion and sincerity she did and had the audience laugh and clap like that. It's not laughable, and it's not funny.
Ji-Won Song was absolutely mesmerising though, this is one of my favourite performances of this concerto. Absolutely breathtaking.

[JuanMarcello]

This is one of the best versions of this concerto. Top 5. Intense expression and deep artistic concience.

[Tanpopohimawari]

Her dynamics...her tone... its all so perfect.

[waterliliesbymonet]

What clarity and mastery of the instrument she has...
Amazing! Thank you!