The Week in Reviews, Op. 293: Holly Mulcahy; Philippe Quint; Vadim Gluzman; Sonnambula

October 15, 2019, 9:15 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.

Violinist Holly Mulcahy. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Holly Mulcahy performed George S. Clinton's "The Rose of Sonora" violin concerto with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra.

The Daily Telegraph: "The piece calls upon her to wring out seemingly every ounce of what is possible to do with a violin, whether in classical style or more fiddle-like work, and the cadenza she’s created for the fifth movement is mesmerizing. She absolutely nails this piece, with a mastery of her instrument that’s, in a word, breathtaking."

Philippe Quint performed the Barber Violin Concerto and music of Charlie Chaplin with the North Carolina Symphony.

CVNC: "The music (of Charlie Chaplin) is lovely, particularly as packaged here, and the not-insubstantial suite (which lasted about 20 minutes) made a very favorable and well-received impression."

Vadim Gluzman performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.

The Columbus Dispatch: "The violinist’s clear delight in the piece’s happy-go-lucky merriment was emulated by the orchestra as a whole, who performed with easygoing abandon. Although the concert took place on a brisk autumn evening, Mozart’s concerto was all blue skies and green grass."

Sonnambula viol ensemble performed music of Biber and more at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.

New York Classical Review: "...violinist (Toma) Iliev soloed (with continuo) in The Annunciation, the first of Biber’s 'mystery sonatas' from about 1676, in which Mary’s discovery that she is to give birth to the Son of God was commemorated in blazing passagework and gentle cantabile phrases. Then a sober passacaglia, variations over a repeating bass line, blossomed into virtuoso display. Religious or secular? Two centuries later, Franz Liszt had a word for it: 'transcendental.'"

Arabella Steinbacher performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 with the National Symphony Orchestra.

The Washington Post: "It’s not Mozart’s most popular concerto, and Steinbacher seemed less interested in it per se than she did in the involved cadenzas, which offered a freer and more intriguing version of herself so that the score sounded paler when the orchestra came in after she had finished."

James Ehnes performed Walton’s Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Guardian: "The rough edges of the Walton were mostly smoothed over, despite James Ehnes’s thoughtful brilliance in the solo part, his violin singing almost as lyrically as it did in his unruffled Bach encore."

Augustin Hadelich performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, Op. 64 in E minor with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Broadway World UK: "Like all gifted soloists, he uses his violin as an extension of himself, with a deft and precise musicality. He is hypnotic to watch, with a breathless energy and delicate refinement."

Ray Chen performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, Op. 64 in E minor with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Limelight Magazine: "I’d love to see Chen play a more relaxed recital without the constant fireworks. That being said, when the flamboyance of the playing is this good, well, why not?"

Daniel Lozakovich performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.

GoldenPlec: "The first movement allows Lozakovich to show his virtuosity, vividly coaxing the expressive melody from his instrument. Lozakovich’s treatment of the second movement theme is tender and caring, creating a relaxed and almost mindful atmosphere as he plays."

Sergej Krylov performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Northern Echo: "Sergej Krylov...drew out the grandeur of the first movement with Petrenko maintaining buoyant and sympathetic support throughout. Sparks, along with horsehair, flew in a scorching cadenza. Krylov plucked his frayed bow clean to give a sublime account of the serene slow movement, before scampering helter-skelter through a tightly-wrought finale."

James Ehnes performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor with the Halle Orchestra.

Wharfdale Observer: "Canadian violinist James Ehnes’ sumptuous- toned lyricism reached the heart of this concerto - the soaring intensity of the central slow movement."

Kyra Humphreys performed Philip Glass' second violin concerto, "The American Four Seasons" with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

The Westmoreland Gazette: "Orchestral leader, Kyra Humphreys, played the work superbly. Her warm tone and seemingly effortless technique drew warm applause from the audience."

Juliette Kang and violist Choong-Jin Chang performed Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Their playing was on a high level, but not nearly as imposing as typical concerto soloists."

Aisha Syed performed in recital with pianist Martin Labazevitch at Zankel Hall.

New York Classical Review: "Syed’s great strength is grace under pressure, an aura of mastery, and the ability to present in many different styles and cultural attitudes with sincerity and skill."

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

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Paul Deck

October 16, 2019 at 01:27 PM · A google search on Holly Mulcahy turns up this tidbit:

https://newschannel9.com/news/local/violinist-sues-chattanooga-symphony-for-breach-of-contract

Laurie Niles

October 16, 2019 at 04:46 PM · Paul, it sounds like that issue remains unresolved.

Holly also has written some nice blogs here on V.com, one about playing violin for prisoners and another about scordatura in Mahler 4.

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 293: Holly Mulcahy; Philippe Quint; Vadim Gluzman; Sonnambula

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