Happy Hilary, 45
OrchestrasJust in time to wish happy 45th birthday to one of the finest violinists of our time.
Hope to see her back soon, fully recovered from a trapped nerve.
UPDATE: Hilary will guest star in the next episode of @WBUR’s Circle Round podcast, voicing the lead role and playing the violin!
The episode will air next week.
No. Her birthday was yesterday (Nov 27).
Happy belated birthday Hilary! I love your playing, but not your new hair.
Agree on the hair. Kind of puzzling actually.
Hilary Hahn is not “one” of the finest violinists: as far as sound, intonation, vibrato, control, musical intelligence and perfection of execution she is “the” world’s finest violinist. Hands down.
Happy Birthday, Miss Hahn!
I enjoy her playing because I listen and I don’t need to think—color, phrasing nuances, rubato—such variations impact my emotions and disturb the musical line. Miss Hahn, on the other hand, is the perfect balance of technical control and technique. It’s so easy to listen to her interpretations—why clutter a beautiful phrase with emotion or expression when near-perfect intonation is so divine?
Wishing her the smoothest recovery and a good rest this holiday season
Your last two words are unnecessary and somewhat offensive. Forgive me for having at least one of my hands up, but it needs to be pointed out that the difference between those statements is that “one of the finest” is a fact while “the finest” in this case is an opinion – however valid it may be but still an opinion.
However technically perfect most of her performances may be she has a very unremarkable unnuanced sound – along with a robotic style of playing – which do not draw you to additional listenings……
How’s jail Odin Rathnam? Do they give you free WiFi in Pennsylvania state penitentiary?
What does this have to do with anything?
I was in school w Odin and was reasonably close friends w him. I’m not religious but OMG.
I’m sorry but you will get what you deserve, you POS Odin.
That may have been partially true up until around 2010, but during the last 15 years or so her playing became noticeably warmer and definitely more impassioned.
Umm. Rachel Barton Pine is her equal.
A few might be, but RBP is definitely not one of them.
She is special….
Hilary Hahn has replaced Ann-Sophie as my favorite living violinist. Happy birthday.
PS. try acupuncture
That’s what finished Pam Frank’s performing career way too early.
I’m a huge fan of hers and of course hope she get’s back on stage soon.
As for “the best” or some sort of GOAT as an artist, there are a LOT of great violinists out there. Just a reminder.
Agreed; even during Heifetz’s prime years there were plenty of violinists who were ranked by many as just as fine, if not finer, than he. The names are all well known, and the list is not short.
Pure opinion but not uninformed opinion. And sometimes it depends on the piece.
Hillary Hahn is one of the finest and we are fortunate to live in a time where she is actively concertizing and recording.
Couldn’t agree more, AM. All this stuff about who is the best pianist/violinist/conductor/composer etc in the world is just school playground banter. Hilary Hahn is an outstanding violinist who is recovering from a trapped nerve. Let’s just wish her a happy birthday and a swift and complete recovery.
She is an outstanding violinist and I certainly wish her a full and speedy recovery.