Joshua Bell - Voice of the Violin (Bonus Version)

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My wife and I were first introduced to the virtuosity of Joshua Bell in the movie "The Red Violin", a strange yet enchanting story of the travels of a mysterious violin. Bell's violin work in this movie was really magnificent and his evident soulful mastery of the violin is a delight to listen to. Am looking forward to enjoying this album as well. The 15 sec. previews of each song promise that there is much more to be heard and enjoyed of this virtuoso's interpretations. Highly recommend that fans of the violin and Joshua Bell would do well to see the above mentioned movie (on DVD).

A masterful performance. I appreciate it as both a violinist and a singer. If you enjoy it, I highly recommend Romance of the Violin (I love the Borodin "Nocturne"). I think the "English" virtuoso has been put to rest in other reviews. But no one has mentioned that the Ave Maria is listed as Gounod (in the Composer field), any one with any sense (or a quick read of the digital booklet) knows it's Schubert. Finally, I don't see how a reviewer can call Bell "mainstream" and then recommend Yo-Yo Ma (an overrated cellist), Itzhak Perlman, and Hilary Hahn. Rostropovich, Perlman, Hahn, Mutter, and Bell are all incomparable masters of their craft.

A huge fan of Joshua Bell, I had no idea that he was releasing another album. I just happen to get on ITunes today and what a surprise! After listening to a few tracks, I am already astounded. As always, Bell delivers wonderful, breathtaking, beautiful sound filled with emotion. His "Ave Maria" really took the cake; I had searched everywhere in hopes of finding such a beautiful version and here we are, straight from the hands and heart of Bell. I strongly recommend this album and know you will enjoy it; if you like beautiful things( most of us do) then this is ten dollars well spent.

Joshua Bell's choice of works to perform, his range of styles, & his technical abilities are outstanding: world class. I wish the same could be said of the Itunes music reviewer, who refers to Mr. Bell as an "English vituoso..." Well, he does SPEAK English, but he's not English--he's from Indiana, the USA.

Stunning! I bought 4 songs thinking I could not take to much violin music and got into a hot bubble bath to listen and after my 4 songs were up I got out and bought the whole album. A must have for classical music lovers.

This was great soothing calming music. I definitely enjoyed it.

Joshua has matured into the greatest living violinist in the world currently. (This is no small feat, one of the greatest attainments among the fine arts.) This is the greatest violinist since Hubermann, Kriesler and Stern, perhaps even Rabin, if Bell gets into those dimensions besides; and I look forward to his every work here on in.

I bought the complete CD on I-Tunes, and I really appreciate the digital booklet. It's important to me to see what the artist has to say about the music, and Joshua Bell shows great repsect to the music and to those before him , Kreisler, Heifetz etc, who preceeded him in doing these sorts of arrangements. In both the writing and the music playing, Joshua seems truly humble, giving credit to his collaborators (all named) and the original composers. He dosen't just play Ave Maria; he shares it with choir and orchestra. Una Furtiva Lagrima opens not with violin, but with a very nice bassoon solo. The Nana from DeFalla now includes guitar, adding a very nice Spanish touch for those of us who have heard the violin/piano version all our lives. It's also a treat to hear the Apre Un Reve in two versions! I could go on, but I'll just finish with, "great choices well played by all!"

beautiful.

But who said that he is a young ENGLISH virtuoso? He was born in Indiana and resides in Manhattan, what makes him English?

I don't think Joshua Bell is English!

Joshua Bell is an AMERICAN prodigy, not English. Again, Josh has transported us to the heights with his extraordinary interpretations. His playing is so unique, that placed along side another violinist, his talent clearly stands out.

Joshua did a great job on this. I really think that his greatest leap into the violin has been from 2000 to 2006. I can't wait to see where he will be in 2008. Again, the album is beautiful, it's perfect for relaxing, studying, and romantic dinners. If this CD doesn't stun you, I don't know what will. Preston Tucker. Plano, Tx.

After reading Gene Weingarten's excellent article in the Wsahington Post Sunday magazine (April 8), I felt like I *had* to buy this CD. Definitely worth a listen--and a read.

Joshua Bell grew up in Los Angeles and generally lives in NYC. If you listened to him speak, you'd realize he ain't English. BTW - the album is up to his normal standards...he skillfully stretches the repetoire by performing violin transcriptions of pieces written for the voice.

I have been a violinst for fourteen years and I am always impressed with Joshua's work. His bowing arm is flawless. His tone is just seamless. Absolutely amazing and definitley worth a purchase.

Josh Bell is more then amazing. This CD is filled with beautiful music and acceptional playing. Bell really shows what he can do in this album and I am hoping he continues. I know he will! :) JB your amazing!

I remember meeting Mr. Bell when I was a young lad. He came and did a master class at my violin school in Rochester, New York. Ever since then, I have been amazed by his mastery and have watched him become a superstar! His recordings are elegant and incredible, but they are no match to seeing his performance and absorbing the wonder that is his violin playing! Superb!

A terrific album, but Joshua Bell is not an English virtuoso, as you say in your introduction. He's a true-blue Yank, born on a farm in Indiana.

I remember when Ivo Pogorelish started his career playing the piano back in the early 80's or so.. He was as controversial then as he is now. Nonetheless, love him or hate him, he makes his intrument speak to you in ways that generate emotions of wonder and amazement. He makes love to his instrument when he plays and he doesn't care whether you like what he does or not. I have been a classical music lover for a very long time. Watching this young man play his violin reminds me of the days when Pogorelish woo-ed me with his interpretations of the various concertos written by the masters of the past. Joshua Bell is and will continue to generate emotions in one's soul that will make listening to the violin a pleasure beyond compare. The violin can be loved or hated. Imagine some twisted horse hair on a bow being stroked across some metal strings and try to imagine, having never heard a violin, what that would sound like. Then, just add the name Joshua Bell and it will be like the old violin being auctioned off for one dollar, two dollars three dollars...four...... Joshua would be the master that would make that violin sell for one thousand, two thousand three thousand...four. It's just the touch of the master's hand. Joshua Bell is a true master. And all of this without the controversy of his earlier contemporary who plays the piano. What more could one want.

After reading in the Washington Post that Joshua Bell played in one of our DC-area Metro stations and most people walked by I was curious to hear one of his albums. I don't get it, how can you walk by this man? He moves me; this is a wonderful album!

Playing violin myself, i can tell you that he is utterly amazing in his musicality. He tells a story without words, and tells it with passion, feeling, and artistry. This album is unbelievable, and so is Joshua Bell! It is inspiring!!!

I'm a big fan of Bell, but his characteristic sound is MIA here. With the exception of the lovely Vocalise, his work on the rest seems thin, contrived, afflicted by persistent intonation problems and, worse, a frenetic vibrato. It might have been intended to represent the voice, but frankly, it's flat-out annoying. Bell's mastery of the violin repetoire is amazing. Frankly, he should've stuck to it.

Actually, Joshua Bell is from Bloomington, Indiana, and therefore American (not English as the iTunes review says) but that aside, this recording is simply beautiful and a must-have for violin lovers.

Beautiful performance, great choice of pieces. However, isn't the "Ave Maria", attributed here to Gounod, actually by Schubert?

sounds like somethings dieing

"Young English virtuouso Joshua Bell"? I thought he was an American. Great music!

I'm only 15 and never listen to classical, but Rusalka: Song to the Moon is really pretty. If you can't buy the entire album, at least listen to this song.

This is just one of those albums you'll want to listen to over and over. If you've ever seen Joshua perform, the same passion he puts into his violin on stage is not shadowed by CD recording. Play him loud and you will see him sway as he plays the emotion into the songs.

Joshua Bell plays well. His music is beautiful.

Joshua Bell, an officially-deisgnated "Indiana Living Legend," is not an "English virtuoso"! He was raised on a farm near Bloomington, Indiana, a good place for a boy with violin talent because the Indiana University School of Music, and his teacher Josef Gingold, are also located there. Joshua now makes his home in New York. He does make frequent appearances in London, and does some teaching there. But he is American (and Hoosier!).

Who ever wrote this article is wrong. Joshua Bell is an American. He was born and educated in Indiana and was at Indiana University when I was a student there. He is amazing and a true virtuoso but............ not an Englishman!

ENGLISH??? violinist? C'mon iTunes! Joshua Bell grew up on a farm in Bloomington, Indiana! Surely you can get your facts straight with one of the A-list classical artists....

Its a good album. I'll give you that Bell fans, I just dont agree with his interpretation of the music. The songs are well written and transcribed and all that, however, I dont like the way Bell plays the violin. For you classical lovers(but not performers) try something else, like rostrokovich, or perlman, yo-yo ma, hilary hahn, annie-sophie mutter, not mainstream "violinists" like bell. Excuse the atrocious spelling

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