The Week in Reviews, Op. 87: performances by Alexander Sitkovetsky, Simone Lamsma; and Iva Miletic wins the Khachaturian Competition

June 23, 2015, 11:33 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.

Alexander Sitkovetsky performed the Panufnik with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Herald Scotland: "If written with Menuhin and his unique abilities in mind, the concerto lives on in the same spirit in the hands of Alexander Sitkovetsky. His exquisitely beautiful, resolute yet lyrical sound was perfectly complemented by the SSO strings. The gorgeous opening up at the end of the adagio, like the sun rising on the world, led straight into a sparsely rhythmical third movement vivace."
The Scotsman: "Performed by guest violinist, Alexander Sitkovetsky the work is filled with slow, menacing violin plucks, which build in intensity underneath the melody. If Hitchcock had made a European art house film, this would have been the soundtrack."

Alexander Sitkovetsky.

Iva Miletic won the 11th Aram Khachaturian International Competition.

The Strad: "Iva Miletic has been named the winner of the 11th Aram Khachaturian International Competition in Yerevan, Armenia – this year devoted to the violin. The 27-year-old Serbian receives the one-year loan of an 1825 J.B. Vuillaume violin from the Swiss Del Gesu Foundation and will perform at the Khachaturian Festival in Yerevan in December." Second prize: shared by David Arduhanyan, Russia and Andrea Obiso, Italy; Third prize: shared by Pierre Frapier, France and Mariam Vardanyan, Armenia.

Simone Lamsma performed the Beethoven with the Mainly Mozart Festival.

San Diego Reader: "Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma played her part almost as if she were outside herself. She appeared to be engaged with Beethoven on a level we seldom encounter."

Jack Liebeck performed the Dvorak with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Portsmouth News: "He attacked the opening allegro with all the passion the composer demanded, but also relished the songfulness of the slow movement and the finale’s fairylike dancing."

Alina Ibragimova performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 with the London Symphony Orchestra.

The Guardian: "Ibragimova brought characterful attentiveness to every bar of the opening allegro. The adagio was spun out in a long lovely line by conductor and soloist, and Ibragimova gave a very personal quietness and depth to the brief, introspective cadenza."

Elizabeth Blumenstock performed works by Bach and Graun with the Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar.

Orange County Register: "(Blumenstock) led the ensemble from the concertmaster’s position. Most of the musicians, who play on period instruments in historically informed style,...mesh easily and cheerfully. It’s a first-class group and the sanctuary at St. Mark’s provides ideal acoustics for it.

Benjamin Schmid performed Bartok's Second Violin Concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

The New Zealand Herald: "From the start, Schmid penetrated the very soul of this work, weaving the composer's haunting lament over bold B major harmonies."

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 87: performances by Alexander Sitkovetsky, Simone Lamsma; and Iva Miletic wins the Khachaturian Competition

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