The Week in Reviews, Op. 154: Janine Jansen, Stefan Jackiw, Baiba Skride

October 24, 2016, 11:55 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.

Janine Jansen performed the Sibelius with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Herald Scotland: "...everything stopped, including, time, my regular breathing and heartbeat, at the spell-binding performance by Janine Jansen of Sibelius' Violin Concerto.... It was heart-moving, beyond words and into tears."

Janine Jansen.

Stefan Jackiw performed the Mendelssohn with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Vancouver Sun: "Jackiw is the epitome of agility, wonderfully effective in Mendelssohn’s light, febrile outer movements. Rather than the stodgy sentimentality often on offer in the piece, this interpretation was fresh and electrifying."

Baiba Skride performed Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Plain Dealer: "Her concerto, while somewhat less overtly showy than others, was if anything more challenging than most, and Skride nailed it with poise, polish, and tremendous heat."

Rachel Podger performed the Vivaldi with Juilliard415.

New York Classical Review: "With Rachel Podger, a celebrity baroque violinist if there ever was one, leading Juilliard415, an accomplished historical performance ensemble, in a program of early Italian concerti, a strong concert should have been in the cards. What stood out, though, was a surprising lack of polish–messy articulation, sour intonation, and roughness of sound marred their playing throughout the early-evening concert."

Dover Quartet performed Mozart and Beethoven at Northwestern University.

Chicago on the Aisle: "Displaying a maturity that belies the age of its members, the group plays with uncommon intelligence and finesse and a pleasing, well-blended sound. Perhaps most impressive is how comfortable they seem with each other and with this music."

Vilde Frang performed the Korngold with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Nottingham Post: "It would be easy for a work with cinematic origins to become a vehicle for solo histrionics, but Vilde Frang showed restraint, allowing the lush tunes of the opening movement to breathe and speak for themselves."

Caroline Goulding performed the Beethoven with the Boise Philharmonic.

Idaho Statesman: "A true prodigy, Goulding first came to Boise in 2010 when she was 17. Now 23, she again showed her virtuosity, attacking the piece with precise technique and soulful depth."

Robert McDuffie and REM bassist Mike Mills performed Mills' Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra.

South Florida Classical Review: "The opening and closing sections (titled 'Play It Like You Mean It' and 'You Can Go Home Again') found McDuffie prancing about the stage like a real rocker and imitating the sound of the electric guitars and basses in an exciting manner. Is McDuffie the only artist who has ever played rock on a Guarneri? He really caught Mills’ bass groove and Chen and his string players threw themselves into the musical mashup."

Tianwa Yang performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

South China Morning Post: "Soloist Tianwa Yang matched perfectly the HKPhil’s rhythmic clarity and Van Zweden’s conception of the work’s structure."

Sayaka Shoji performed the Tchaikovsky with CityMusic Cleveland.

The Plain Dealer: "Where many artists apply layer after layer of emotional lacquer to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, she allowed the music to speak for itself and wisely focused instead on technical matters, on tone, articulation, and dynamics."

Please support music in your community by attending a concert or recital whenever you can!