The Week in Reviews, Op. 85: Janine Jansen, Christian Tetzlaff, Lisa Batiashvili

June 9, 2015, 1:17 PM · 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.

Janine Jansen

Janine Jansen performed the Mendelssohn with the London Symphony Orchestra.

The Arts Desk: "Jansen has recently started playing the 1727 'Baron Deurbroucq' Stradivarius, and it’s a match made in Heaven. Jansen and her new instrument produce a sinewy but always light and agile tone. She can take it down to a whisper, and then suddenly reappear from nowhere to present a strident thematic statement."

Christian Teztlaff performed the Beethoven with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "What was especially awe-inspiring about this performance... was the violinist’s artistic range — attention-grabbing like a rocket, or like a whisper. The effectiveness of his solo was as much in those contrasts of color and volume as it was in the absolute artistry of each moment."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Tetzlaff's playing was at times endearingly light with unforced nuances of articulation, including playfulness and wit, as well as burning intensity."

Lisa Batiashvili performed Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Telegraph: "Batiashvili was joining the orchestra for Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto, in a performance better than any I have ever heard of this work – indeed, a performance that must have left many wondering whether they had ever heard the violin quite so mesmerisingly played."

Augustin Hadelich performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Kansas City Symphony.

Kansas City Star: "He was commanding and joyous, rejuvenating the concert with melodic and dramatic sense. The orchestra was likewise energized and played up to Hadelich, responding well to Stern."

Nicola Benedetti performed the Brahms with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra.

The Argus: "Playing the Brahms Violin Concerto In D with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra, she displayed flashy virtuosic skills, sensitive pianissimo expression and lively Hungarian gypsy rhythms."

Paul Wright performed the Mozart with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

The West Australian: "Wright, who, as an 11-year-old, studied with Yehudi Menuhin, was in excellent fettle, bringing to his performance his trademark understanding of period style and mood. Wright thoroughly merited the storm of applause that erupted at the concerto’s conclusion."

Gil Shaham performed the Mendelssohn with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Ottawa Citizen: "Shaham’s tone is distinct: sweet yet sinewy, with a modern, lean vibrato. His fingerwork is dazzling, his bowing soft and relaxed throughout the infinitely subtle nuances of his dynamic and tonal range."
ConcertoNet: "Gil Shaham is an American violinist celebrated for his immaculate tone and technique, which were consistent throughout the performance, particularly during the delicately elaborate first movement cadenza.

Anthony Marwood performed Mackey's "Beautiful Passing" with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

The Sydney Morning Herald: "Soloist Anthony Marwood, who is actually better known in this country for baroque music through his concerts with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, played the solo part with empathetic intensity, capturing a sound of distinctive isolation and beauty."

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