The Week in Reviews, Op. 294: Karen Gomyo, Sandy Cameron, Augustin Hadelich

October 22, 2019, 2:24 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 Karen Gomyo.

Karen Gomyo performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Violinist Karen Gomyo, who made her memorable SLSO debut in 2005, remains an amazing talent, inhabiting the music and bringing it to life. Her interpretative abilities have only grown over the years, keeping pace with her technique."

Sandy Cameron performed Danny Elfman’s Violin Concerto "Eleven Eleven" with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Buffalo News: "In the hands of the stunningly gifted Cameron, Elfman’s concerto has all the championing it needs. Cameron’s dynamic stage presence and dancer-like physicality, along with a piercingly gorgeous tone and effortless upper register playing left the audience stunned."
Buffalo Rising: "It is one high-energy piece but Ms. Cameron is one high-energy performer who moves about the stage non-stop as she plays with abandon and even occasionally plays 'left-hand pizzicato' while simultaneously bowing with her right."

Augustin Hadelich performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Plain Dealer: "All too often, Prokofiev Two comes off as little more than a virtuoso showpiece, a brilliant but diffuse display of solo talent. Not so Thursday. The virtuosity was there, to be sure, in spades, but with Hadelich, so were all the more important senses of structure, shape, drama, and dialogue."

Rachel Barton Pine performed Aram Khachhaturian's Violin Concerto with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Channel 3000: "...she plays with exuberant style, ending each work with a flourish of raised bow....Barton Pine was enthusiastically received with a standing audience and repeated cheers."
Isthmus: "Her fiery approach drove through the Armenian composer’s interweave of folk melodies and classical structures, trading leads with other orchestra members and blending seamlessly in various duets with other performers."

Jinjoo Cho performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

Theater Jones: "She brought a unique interpretation to the concerto. Her use of rubato was strikingly beautiful while not being excessive or descending into sentimentality."

James Ehnes performed the Barber Violin Concerto with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School.

Providence Journal: "There were also two much deserved encores from violinist James Ehnes, who played with such class in the Barber."

Alan Choo and Olivier Brau performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" with Apollo's Fire.

The News-Gazette (Champaign, Ill.): "The violin solos were brilliantly played by Alan Choo in 'Spring' and 'Summer' and by Olivier Brault in 'Autumn' and 'Winter.' Brault, especially, combined his virtuoso violin fireworks with elegant dance movements."

Jeanne Rafaella Marquez performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.