Classical Album 1

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THE CLASSICAL ALBUM 1:

VANESSA-MAE'S BRILLIANT ANSWER TO HER CRITICS

The Classical Album 1 - track listing

1 Partita no 3in E for violin solo - J.S. Bach
(preludio; loure; gavotte en rondeau; menuet; bourree; gigue)

2 Scherzo in C minor for violin and piano - J. Brahms

3 Romance no 2 in F for violin and orchestra - L. van Beethoven

4 Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra - M. Bruch
(introduction - grave; adagio cantabile; allegro; adagio; andante sostenuto; finale - allegro guerriero)

5 I' M A Doun For Lack O' Johnnie (A Little Scottish Fantasy) - Vanessa-Mae

(Recorded and mixed at the Whitfield Street Studios and Abbey Road studios)

Overall impression:

Vanessa-Mae released 'The Classical Album 1' in the autumn of 1996. The album can be considered as an answer to her critics who said that with 'The Violin Player' she abandoned classical music and that a dual career in pop and classics would be impossible. If 'The Classical Album 1' is to be considered as answer indeed, then it is an absolute brilliant answer. Although, I am very sure that proofing the wrong of critics has never been a motive to Vanessa-Mae at any time when preparing and recording this album, because this is an honest album played with by Vanessa-Mae heart and soul and clearly not with second thoughts of having to show anything to anyone. The music is played with the self-confidence, interpretation and views of an arrived and adult musician with enormous technical potential and musicality. The album consists of music of well-known German composers. The album builds up from solo violin, duet with piano to full orchestral accompaniment of Vanessa-Mae on the violin. Moreover, the album holds one composition of Vanessa-Mae herself that is based on a Scottish folk song that also inspired Max Bruch to write his 'Scottish Fantasy.' Vanessa-Mae's composition is named 'I AM A Dound For Lack O' Johnnie: A Little Scottish Fantasy.' On this album, Vanessa-Mae plays at her very best!!!!!!

The art work:

The art work is designed is soft brown colours with lots of textual information and some nice photos with in light brown prints of Vanessa-Mae. Among others, the booklet gives credits to Pamela Nicholson (Vanessa-Mae's mother) on piano and as manager/producer, Vasko Vassilev and Victor Fedotov as conductor. There is a personal word in the booklet from Vanessa-Mae where she explains what classical music means to her and that she will continue to maintain her dual career with pop and classical music. Especially, she advices to listen to the music with joy and without prejudice. Moreover, the booklet explains the contents of the music briefly from Vanessa-Mae's point of view. Finally there is a short biography, quotable quotes and future plans. Scans of the booklet are presented below. Two discs are shown in the series below, one for the European release (left) and one for the USA release (right). The booklet for both releases are the same though.

Scans of the booklet (click thumbnails to view larger images)

Description of the tracks

1 Partita no 3in E for violin solo
I heard several version of this particular Bach Partita for solo violin played by others, but, for me, Vanessa-Mae's interpretation excels all without any doubt. All notes are perfectly defined, clear and pure in sound. Listening to the music, the joy Vanessa-Mae had in playing and recording is obvious to hear. Moreover, she plays with such an ease as if she has no struggle with the difficulties at all, almost as if she was inventing the music at the very moment of playing.

2 Scherzo in C minor for violin and piano
Vanessa-Mae on violin in duet with her mother on piano in this very nice piece of music composed by Johannes Brahms. It is lively played with joy and passion as is appropriate to a scherzo piece of music.

3 Romance no 2 in F for violin and orchestra
Beethoven's Romance no 2 in F exhibits sweetness, romance and tenderness. To my impression, Vanessa-Mae plays it at a slightly higher speed than most other interpretations that I've heard so far. The result is that the music sounds less sentimental and more lively. i think it is a valid choice of Vanessa-Mae to play it this way for the combination with the other tracks on this particular album.

4 Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra
'The Scottish Fantasy' by Max Bruch is one of my all time favourite music for violin. Although regularly recorded, this piece can't possible be considered as very popular among recording artists. Vanessa-Mae's interpretation is absolutely brilliant; her violin play is full of saying power, emotion and passion. Obviously, Vanessa-Mae's statement that this music is close to her heart must be true and the recording shows it definitely. The mix with the orchestra is well balanced and nice to listen to. Both Vanessa-Mae and the orchestra force the other to perform to the best if their mutual abilities. This is absolutely by far the best version I ever heard.

5 I' M A Doun For Lack O' Johnnie (A Little Scottish Fantasy)
Vanessa-Mae's own rendition of an old Scottish folk poem in which a young girl cries and yarns for her love one who has left her. The sorrow and grieve is clearly heard in the souring sound of Vanessa-Mae's violin. Moreover, the intro is sung by Vanessa-Mae herself her rather limited flat voice conveys the emotions of the young girl yarning for her missed love adequately.

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