The Week in Reviews, Op. 167: Lisa Batiashvili; Midori; Paul Huang

February 6, 2017, 2:38 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.

Lisa Batiashvili performed the Tchaikovsky with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Los Angeles Times: "Batiashvili, whose technique is impeccable and whose tone is richly soulful, was there for all the emotional and violinistic swings. She dreamed with Tchaikovsky and escaped with Tchaikovsky and threw it all to the wind when that seemed a thrilling thing to do."

Midori performed the Britten with the Marin Symphony Orchestra.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "Midori’s muscular playing and virtuosic agility are a sight to behold....She was especially brilliant in the cadenza at the end of the concerto’s central scherzo, and in its somber finale, written in the form of a passacaglia: a set of variations over a repeated bass motif."

Paul Huang performed the Beethoven with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra.

Santa Barbara Independent: "The concerto’s first movement included a fiery violin solo that impressed and inspired, with Huang channeling a clear serenity in the chaos of Beethoven’s grand schematics. It was a true honor to experience Huang’s talent backed by such an outstanding orchestra, a performance worth many standing ovations."

Nikolaj Znaider performed the Nielsen with the Cleveland Orchestra.

South Florida Classical Review: "With his rock-solid technique, big tone and extroverted style, soloist Nikolaj Znaider made the strongest possible case for the work."

Vadim Gluzman performed the Tchaikovsky with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

The Morning Call: "The ferocious cadenza was a performance highlight, with gorgeous trills and a sweetness of tone that drew mummers of approval from the sold-out house."

Elizabeth Blumenstock performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with Philharmonia Baroque.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "Blumenstock was at her very best on her own, in the probing, expansive cadenzas. She was patient, full of candor, and often dramatically deployed rubato, without milking anything for unearned effects."

Timothy Chooi performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.

Saskatoon Star Phoenix: "Chooi’s performance was smooth and powerful, light and somehow playful. It’s not just that he can shred, but that each note has purpose."

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