Battle of the child prodigys - Vanessa-Mae VS Sarah Chang

Atreides · Post by **Atreides** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 6:51 pm

I belive it was Jintan that 1 month ago was talking about how Sarah Chang made him see VM in a different light, even reconsider her status as queen of the violin.

Altought I've known of Sarah's talent as a child I had not listen to her recent work, the last thing I had heard from her was with the Montreal Symphonic orchestra. I was curious to see what Jintan had found in her.

First of I listened to both recordings of Carmen Fantasy. I must say I fell off my chair. Sarah's sound is stunning, it's sharp, crisp, precise and the orchestra did one helll of a job. In my personnal opinion, Sarah Chang's Carmen Fantasy is better the Vanessa's. But then again, Sarah recorded it in 2001, at the age of 21 while Vanessa was only 12 years old when she recorded her version. Can we realy compare the work of a mature violinist to the one of a child ?

Then I moved to Tchaikovsky's op 35 canzonetta. Recorded in 1991 by VM and 1993 by Sarah, they where about the same age. I found the same sharp sound from Sarah, and she was once again very well supported by the orchestra. I found the music flowed mutch better with Vanessa even tought she was kindda let down by the orchestra. I m still battling with myself to decide which version is better. But I think I more inclined to go with Sarah's.

They also both performed Paganini's Cantabile and Brahm's Scherzo (performed by VM in the Alternative Concert). I found Sarah's perfomance of both these pieces to be quite dry altought masterfully executued. Vanessa's live performance of these master pieces where mutch more enjoyable.

I have listened to Sarah's four latest albums. I cannot find anything bad to say about her sound or technical skills. She is indeed like Vanessa, one of the most skilled violin player there is from a technical stand point. But this is where the comparison stops. With only a few exceptions (like Chaconne by Tomaso Vitali and Tchaikovsky's op 35 canzonetta) Sarah's playing was dry and empty, unmoving. I never found any of Vanessa's interpretation to be dry or empty, they are always rich and expressive. We cannot compare them from a creative stand point since Sarah is only an interpret and not a composer. To my knowledge Sarah did not even try to enhance the classical pieces she is playing like Vanessa has done with her interpretation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

So in my opinion Vanessa-mae is still the unquestioned queen of the violin, helll, the Goddess of the violin. They have comparable technical skills, but when it come to expressive playing and creativity, Vanessa is in a class of her own.

Well, this is what I think of them, I'd like to know what you guys/gals think of these 2.

Atreides

Xanthippe · Post by **Xanthippe** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:15 pm

Hmm, an interesting topic.

Sarah Chang vs Vanessa-Mae, what can I say about that as an comparison?

I've seen Sarah Chang several times on television. Although she is beyond any doubt a technically very skilled violinist, personally I have never succeeded in finding out who is the violinist Sarah Chang. I can't determine or establish her personality by listening to her music. I admit that I did not listen to all her albums. I remember listening to two of her cd's, both compilations of several rather short tracks of music by various composers.

This is so much different for me as I listen to music played Vanessa-Mae. Vanessa-Mae's character is fully expressed in her way of playing. She tries to develop new things, new sound and new emotions, in new adventures breaking through walls and over bounderies.

For me no other violinist equals that!!

Sarah Chang is of course very talented and skilled and she deserves her success. I would certainly go to one of her concerts, if she was to perform reasonable close to my home town.

There are other violinists that have sounds of their own. I can mention Anne-Sophie Mutter (I don't particularly like her sound, but it is so recognisable Anne -Sophie Mutter!!), Nigel Kennedy and the russian player Maxim Vengerov. Vengerov is really one of my favourites too! I think Midori is better than Sarah Chang too.

Sarah Chang is for me the same as Hillary Hahn. Both girls are good violinist, but their play is lacking something....!

Just my opinion of course.

jintan · Post by **jintan** » Tue Jun 17, 2003 3:30 pm

Atreides, you were mistaken as I have never mentioned anything about Sarah Chang in this forum other than suggesting that it would be interesting to see them playing together.
I agree with your findings on VM vs SC. Both are very talented; one has a huge following in Europe and Asia, and the other in America. Collectively, they represent the icon of all violinists we have today.
I have attended concerts of VM and SC. Both never failed to deliver. Both played excellent music. However, SC often displayed an exaggerated bubbly facial expression, and overtly put tremendous pressure on her bow while performing. VM always appeared very calm and composed in her facial expression, and seemingly put a much lighter touch on her bow while performing. At times VM would momentarily cast her eyes on her audiences. I always find such subtle eye contacts of hers to be extremely alluring and sexy, and invariably it creates an instant connection between her and whoever happened to notice that glance. Such is the potency of her glance that it makes one feels to be a participant of her performance as well.
There are many good violinists in this world; a handful has played better similar pieces than VM, most aspired to also play both classical and pop, some attempted to emulate her style, but so far none can live up to the regimen that we are so accustomed to. Also, not all have the flair and stage-presence that VM has. With her, you get to hear as well as see (what a delight!). Hence, should a SC concert and a VM concert be held simultaneously, it is obvious which one I will choose to attend.

Arioch · Post by **Arioch** » Tue Jun 17, 2003 6:56 pm

I must agree with jintan,
Vanessa-Mae has an amazing
stage presence! I too love those sexy little looks that she
gives the audiance.

The beautiful smile she gives us lets us know that she is enjoying herself,
and lets us know that she knows that we are
enjoying her performance.
Vanessa-Mae will even gladly have chat to the members of her
Audience

I love Sarah Chang, she is very talented.
I also like her Carmen Fantasy.

For me...
Out & out it has to be Vanessa-Mae, Vanessa-Mae and her music are something very special.

eva03 · Post by **eva03** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 5:25 am

i have sarah's paganini violin concerto cd. i must say she's really a prodigy. but i grew tired listening to it. i always return listening to vanessa-mae cds at the end of the day.

C.L.U.C.K. · Post by **C.L.U.C.K.** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 9:54 pm

although Sarah Chang is a great violinist, I would say Vanessa-Mae is better because of her unique style. she makes violin playing look fun and exciting to young people.

losthk · Post by **losthk** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 2:19 am

I think Midori is better than Sarah Chang too.

well...but u hav to understand....Midori hab a 1734 Guarnerius del Gesu "ex-Huberman"...and midori is much older..of course she would be better than SC......Midori is 32 yr-old..she is a child prodigy....juss like ever1 tht was mention in this topic