The Week in Reviews, Op. 253: Tessa Lark; James Ehnes; Pinchas Zukerman

January 8, 2019, 11:49 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.

Tessa Lark. Photo by Lauren Desberg.

Tessa Lark premiered Michael Torke's bluegrass Violin Concerto "Sky" with the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

Times Union: "In a piece tailored to her strengths, Lark played with apparent ease and unaffected beauty."

James Ehnes performed Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 in A minor with the Sarasota Orchestra.

Herald-Tribune: "Superlatives hardly capture the degree of dramatic intensity, riveting musicality and virtuosic technique that made Ehnes’ performance...hold his audience breathlessly in its command."
YourObserver.com: "Ehnes is one of the most outstanding violinists I have ever heard. Every note is musical, real and full of meaning. His technique is seemingly flawless, and even in the craggy music of this concerto, he projects warmth and sincerity with a tone that can only be called sumptuous."

Pinchas Zukerman performed the Brahms Concerto, and the Brahms Double with cellist Amanda Forsyth, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Los Angeles Times: "As far as the concertos were concerned, Mehta proved a mensch, putting his soloists first. Violinist Pinchas Zukerman was slow to warm up Thursday in the Violin Concerto, with nuance coming more easily than tone quality. He was joined by the impressive cellist Amanda Forsyth on Saturday for a dramatic reading of the Double Concerto..."

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Replies

Paul Deck

January 8, 2019 at 07:47 PM · Note also that the Torke piece was written for Lark. Your review says she premiered it, but that's not exactly the same thing.

Laurie Niles

January 8, 2019 at 09:38 PM · Indeed, that's why the link is there! The quotes from the reviews here aren't meant to be comprehensive, but to lead people to what they might find interesting. It was the premiere performance of a work that will be performed elsewhere as well. Though it was written for Lark, it was commissioned by several symphony orchestras:

Albany Symphony Orchestra

Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra

Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Erie Chamber Orchestra

Chamber Orchestra of the Springs

Paul Deck

January 9, 2019 at 02:18 AM · Wow that's fantastic. These review summaries are great. I enjoy this feature very much.

Laurie Niles

January 9, 2019 at 09:57 PM · Looks like Tessa also is working on a debut album with Michael Thurber -- here is the link for her Indiegogo campaign.

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