The Week in Reviews, Op. 187: Lewis Kaplan, Joshua Bell, Augustin Hadelich

June 26, 2017, 10:57 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.

Lewis Kaplan performed Bach's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Portland Bach Festival.

Portland Press Herald: "Kaplan used a modern violin in a performance that was softer-edged and less relentlessly driven than is the current fashion in Baroque playing. It recalled a time when Bach was seen, above all, as the most regal of the composers in classical music’s pantheon, and though the young players in the supporting ensemble take a different view – as was evident from their own performances later in the evening – they followed Kaplan’s lead unequivocally."

Lewis Kaplan.

Joshua Bell performed Lalo's "Symphonie espagnole" with the San Francisco Symphony.

The Berkeley Daily Planet: "Joshua Bell gave as deeply expressive and gratifying a performance of Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole as one could ever hope to hear."
San Francisco Classical Voice: "Bell’s consistently smooth and lyrical playing, the subtle expressive variations he turned on repeating phrases, and even a way of making the sound vanish off the top end of his violin, transformed this flashy, display concerto into a captivating charmer."

Augustin Hadelich performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with the Mainly Mozart Festival.

The San Diego Union-Tribune: "The technical challenges of Mozart’s concerto may not be apparent to listeners, but in Ravel’s “Tzigane” the solo part was designed to dazzle audiences....It was jaw-dropping virtuosity."

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