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The Week in Reviews, Op. 239: Janine Jansen; Lisa Batiashvili; Augustin Hadelich

September 25, 2018, 11:56 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 Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra.

• The Guardian: "Janine Jansen was the matchless soloist in Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto."
• MusicOMH: "Janine Jansen’s account of the solo violin part was breathtaking; her technique was flawless and she addressed both the furious double-stopping in the final cadenza and the extremely quiet high-position notes with equal poise; a moment of pure delight was when, after the rapid diminuendo of a vast orchestral chord, the violin was left singing a single, pure, high note. Jansen is also a consummate communicator, moving sinuously – almost dancing – to the pace and material, and the bold gold stripe on her black dress swaying with the music, became a charmed snake mesmerised by Rattle’s beat."
• theartsdesk.com: "The Dutch violinist articulated this hypersensitive composer’s sensual imagination with a natural flow and innate, poised musicianship that still incorporated intensity that wouldn’t disgrace a heavy metal guitarist letting rip, her fast vibrato splendidly suiting the work's febrile soundworld."

Lisa Batiashvili performed the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

• Philadelphia Inquirer: "As for Tchaikovsky, one never outgrows his emotion-steeped melodies, especially as played by Batiashvili, whose freshness came from organizing the phrases in ways that made sense to her own ears — and thus to ours."

Augustin Hadelich performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Seattle Symphony.

• Seattle Times: "His Beethoven concerto proved a revelation. No gimmicks, no fuss, no virtuoso airs or exaggerations: just great musicianship, superb taste, and a bow arm that makes the violin sing. What Hadelich can do on a purely technical level boggles the music lover. But he has far more than technique; he has great subtlety and depth of feeling. "

Anne Akiko Meyers performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

• Arizona Daily Star: "Meyers brought out the distinct personality of every note, going from quivering uncertainty to determined assertion. It was breathtaking to watch."
• Gendel's Music Reviews: "Anne Akiko Meyers gave a deeply musical, masterly Beethoven performance to kick off the Tucson Symphony Orchestra's 90th Season."

Sirena Huang performed the Barber Concerto with the Santa Fe Symphony.

• Pasatiempo: "Huang displayed accomplished facility in the Barber Violin Concerto, most impressively in its bustling finale, where her bright tone was put to very effective use."

Elisa Citterio performed Mozart Concerto in D Major, K.218 with Tafelmusik Orchestra in Toronto.

• : "Tafelmusik’s season-opening, all-Mozart program at Koerner Hall offers a brilliant demonstration of their exalted status. "

Jennifer Koh performed Philip Glass' First Violin Concerto with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.

• Providence Journal: "After making her way through Philip Glass’ uneventful First Violin Concerto, she returned to the stage of Veterans Memorial Auditorium for some solo Bach that could break your heart."

Matthew Trusler performed Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Reading Symphony Orchestra.

• Reading Eagle: "British violinist Matthew Trusler gave an astonishing performance of Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, negotiating its many daunting challenges with aplomb."

Karen Gomyo performed the Barber Violin Concerto with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra.

• The Rapidian: "The neo-romantic concert work demands a luscious, liquid tone and a tuneful approach to melody in the first two movements. It asks for heroic feats of technical bravado in the finale. We could spend all night arguing which is her greater strength, but it wouldn’t matter in the end because Gomyo is brilliant at both. Her violin playing sings and sizzles at the same time."

Arabella Steinbacher performed the Bruch Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

• The Sydney Morning Herald: "Apparently incapable of harshness or blemish, she plays with a kind of radiant strength that never reveals its sinews."

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