The Week in Reviews, Op. 269: Joshua Bell trio; Simone Porter; Benjamin Beilman; Nicola Benedetti
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.
Joshua Bell cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Jeremy Denk performed a chamber recital at Boston's Symphony Hall.
- The Boston Musical Intelligencer: "...we witnessed a thrilling, yet intimate conversation."
Jeremy Denk, Joshua Bell and Stephen Isserlis. Photo by Shervin Lainez.
Simone Porter performed the Korngold Violin Concerto with the Long Beach Symphony.
- The Grunion: "Our violin soloist, Simone Porter, is a rising star, and one can see why. Her silvery tone is gorgeous, and she can overcome any technical hurdles thrown her way, of which the Korngold has several. She plays with uncommon passion and involvement in the music, and seems to enjoy what she’s doing; when not playing she would bask in the orchestral richness behind her."
Benjamin Beilman performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
- Portland Press Herald: "Sibelius’s score embraces extremes, and Beilman was clearly comfortable with them, producing a throaty, textured sound in more dramatic, combative sections, and an opulently silken tone in more ruminative or emotionally settled passages."
Nicola Benedetti performed Elgar's Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
- The Telegraph: "The Benedetti effect was certainly felt here in the Barbican, with a bigger audience than the BBC Symphony Orchestra usually enjoys."
- theartsdesk.com: "Her reading was bold and forthright, but expressive too; not faultless, but certainly accommodating the work’s technical demands. She had some distinctive ideas about the concerto, and brought to light many aspects of the solo part that can otherwise be subsumed in the sheer welter of notes."
Eldbjørg Hemsing performed in recital with pianist Nargiz Aliyarova at the Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York.
- New York Classical Review: "Her recital Wednesday night in the Bruno Walter Auditorium had the satisfaction of hearing a fine, new artistic voice in full maturity."
Tasmin Little performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 4 in D with the European Union Chamber Orchestra.
- Ilkley Gazette: "Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 4 in D made for a delightful farewell. This youthful work was played by Ms. Little with her customary smiling demeanour and lively interaction with the EUCO strings, plus two each of oboes and flutes."
Patricia Kopatchinskaja performed with pianist Polina Leschenko and clarinetist Reto Bieri in Wigmore Hall.
- The Guardian: "It was that subtle but constant sense of music’s theatrical potential that underpinned everything, down to the wistful little Weimar-esque waltz that was their encore."
Rachel Barton Pine performed in recital with harpsichordist Jory Vinikour at he Logan Center in Chicago.
- Chicago Classical Review: "She negotiated Bach’s intricate maze of 34 continuous variations (in the Chaconne) with customary poise and insight, creating moments of exceptional beauty supported by a fine instrument outfitted with modern strings and played with a curved baroque bow."
- Third Coast Review: "Especially remarkable was how well Pine’s violin sounded with Vinikour’s harpsichord, even when she was playing loud. Her sound never completely swamped the harpsichord."
Ruggero Allifranchini performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
- TwinCities.com: "... the concerto proved a fine showcase for Allifranchini’s interpretive skills and creative crafting of cadenzas."
Rimma Bergeron-Langlois performed in recital with pianist Keiko Ohnunki Andrews at Florida Southern College.
- The Daily Ridge: "Having performed together for nearly a decade, the two have learned to play their instruments off one another’s most masterfully, as each one’s performance accentuates the raw emotions of the other’s."
Please support music in your community by attending a concert or recital whenever you can!
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May 1, 2019 at 10:05 PM · Nicola Benedetti's Elgar which can be heard in its entirety with the link to the BBC website had a few small blemishes but most of the time her awesome technique is fully on display. She applies her incredibly gorgeous sound to everything in spades, which is an interpretation in itself. I hope she doesn't change too much if she records it. Maybe playing on a Strad does make a difference.(!)