The Week in Reviews, Op. 98: Henning Kraggerud, Lara St. John, Julia Fischer

September 15, 2015, 9:51 AM · In an effort to promote the coverage of live violin performance, Violinist.com each week presents links to reviews of notable concerts and recitals around the world.

Henning Kraggerud performed the Nielsen with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The Guardian: "The openness and commitment of Kraggerud’s playing maintained the tension through the concerto’s darker pages and made a compelling case for what is a surprisingly neglected score, even in an anniversary year which has done Nielsen proud."
Music OMH: "In this hugely enjoyable and approachable performance Henning Kraggerud proved a forthright soloist whose confident playing integrated ornamentation and burnished tone into a pleasing whole."
The Arts Desk: "A jacket discarded some way through said it all: Nielsen’s music has to be unbuttoned, and this lovable performance certainly was."

Henning Kraggerud. Photo by Robert Romik.

Lara St. John performed the Tchaikovsky with Winston-Salem Symphony.

Winston-Salem Journal: "Her virtuoso command of the instrument was exciting, and her highly personal interpretation spoke from the heart, capturing immediate attention by her open, colorful artistry."

Julia Fischer performed the Tchaikovsky with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic

The Guardian: "Soloist Julia Fischer had technical brilliance and the heft of tone and assertiveness to ride above such gloriously solid accompaniment. We heard every last note – which might have been why this a performance seemed like one to admire rather than to love: should this beast of a concerto seem so easily tamable?"
Music OMH: "She produced a very striking sound as she brought a certain stridency to her bowing while overall ensuring that her performance was clear, light and precise."

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