Mel Bay presents Ana Vidovic: Guitar Virtuoso [Import]

I had the good fortune of attending both a masterclass and recital by Ana Vidovic, and have been quietly, desperately in love with this wonderful musician ever since. Unlike many performers of her talent and generation, Ms. Vidovic often gives masterclasses in the various cities in which she performs, allowing even the beginning player to benefit from her wisdom and experience. I, not being a guitarist, may have found some of her technical advice unfamiliar, but what was abundantly clear was her gift for communication and joy in helping a student achieve even a small measure of transcendence.

This same joy and clarity in communication becomes radiant in performance, and I recall being utterly transfixed during her recital. That program opened with Johann Sebastian Bach's sonata for solo violin in G, BWV 1001, which also opens this DVD, and Ms. Vidovic's love and respect for Bach should teach many a violinist how to play his first solo violin sonata with both musicality and intelligence. I should know, being a violinist and lover of Bach, and I never imagined that I would hear one of the most revelatory performances of a Bach solo violin sonata played by a guitarist!

Ana Vidovic has won awards, acclaim, and prizes around the world, and a brief look at her touring schedule on her website of the same name shows her dedication in giving back to that world, both in performance and teaching, and we are all grateful and the better for it.

For those who are unable to attend a live performance, this DVD provides the best, although still meager, alternative. The program includes some of the works with which she is most identified, including Bach's solo violin sonata in G, BWV 1001. The complete program includes

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) FIRST VIOLIN SONATA, BWV 1001 (arr. Manuel Barrueco)
Adagio
Fuga
Siciliana
Presto

Frederico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) SONATINA
Allegretto
Andante
Allegro

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) GRANDE SONATA
Allegro Risoluto
Romanze
Andantino Variato

William Walton (1902-1983) FIVE BAGATELLES
Allegro
Lento
Alla Cubana
Sempre Espressivo
Con Slancio

The DVD also has an interview with Ana Vidovic, showing her ease and beguiling personality during conversation. I myself have spoken only a few words with Ms. Vidovic, but even in that short exchange, her friendly, open manner was immediately engaging, and combined with her lambent and sublime performance, I knew I would never again meet such a one as her, and my life became both greater and smaller with that realization.

Ana Vidovic is one to watch based on this and her Naxos recording. She is self-assured, musical, beautiful and courageous. How many of her peers would be willing to have their performance of so much virtuoso music filmed with no option to edit out errors? And yes, there were a few. Even Ana is not perfect. In fact, unfortunately, she hacks her way through the last movement of the Walton. One suspects that this was all filmed in one session, which is impressive in itself. The sound is not ideal--the recording, not Ana--it tended to be overly harsh. But certainly listenable. As a document of a performance, this is ideal. No annoying voice-overs. Even in the interview the questions appear in text on the screen rather than being spoken. So the only voice we hear here is Ana's, which is as it should be.

A couple of insignificant critical comments: perhaps it was just the camera, but her stage presence seems utterly immobile. One hopes that in real life she might occasionally at least glance at the audience. Her manner in the interview was so self-assured and polished that I incongruously felt I was listening to a young tennis star being interviewed. Whoever is working with her is certainly earning their money. Ana's English is also perfect. Oops, now I'm back to praising her! Well, she certainly deserves it.

Ana is a wonderfull guitarist.No need to say that actually.But here we can now "see" why.Most of the music we heard it on her records, but those where recorded 10 years ago!!!

This realease is a must have for any guitarist.The disc contains the concert + an interview where she talks about her career, past and future.

The presentation of the menu is also very nice.The sound is excelent and so the video quality.

Top AAAA++++ item.

Recomended for all.