Karl Miller, responding to Len Fehskens:

>>>... I rather doubt Hahn doing Piston or Schuman would sell.
>>> Perhaps, as a musician, she doesn't relate to
>>>American Music. ...Hillary Hahn is a "product," not a musician.
>>
>>Her recent recording of the Barber and Meyer violin concertos is drop
>>dead gorgeous, and received considerable positive critical response.
>
>Yes, but there is Meyer has a following as a "crossover" and the Barber
>isn't exactly breaking new ground these days.

Meyer wrote that concerto for Hahn after performing Bach with her.  I
have little use for crossover, as distinct from the musical "vernacular,"
and I have been disappointed with Meyer's other works.  His violin
concerto is one I love passionately, more with each hearing, though as
my review--here--indicated, I had to be convinced first.

I expressed high regard for Hahn's musicianship in my review--again
here--of her performance of the Stravinsky concerto.  I have heard her
perform live twice--Bach and Elgar--superbly.  I am looking forward to
her Bartok--and she may well get around to Piston and Schuman.  She can't
be more than 23 and she has also recorded Bernstein's Serenade and the
powerful Shostakovich First violin Concerto (which I have avoided so far
because I just KNOW noone can come up to Oistrakh and I haven't wanted
to risk disappointment.)  Give her some time, Karl! (And take back that
"property" talk, OK?)  In response to David Harbin, she is not so likely
to record with Cleveland or Philadelphia simply because the recording
companies don't seem to want to invest in those orchestras any more.
SONY recorded Hahn's Brahms with the English Chamber Orchestra and the
Barber/Meyer with the St. Paul Chamber orchestra.

It seems clear to my ears (and from meeting her) that Hahn's musical
temperament is strongly classical and neoclassical rather than romantic.
She holds back in the Barber--except for the finale, which is bravura,
and in which she can take on all comers.  Technically, I am certain that
she can play anything.

Jim Tobin