The Week in Reviews, Op. 272: Hilary Hahn; Blake Pouliot; Joanna Frankel

May 22, 2019, 11:37 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.

Hilary Hahn. Photo by Michael Patrick O'Leary.

Hilary Hahn performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Chicago Tribune: " Whether offering bracing, sinewy attacks or high-flown lyrical phrases, whether producing a darkly burnished tone or brightly stated virtuoso passages, Hahn wrung maximum dramatic impact from every opportunity."
Chicago Classical Review: "The intelligence and sterling technique that the violinist brings to her playing were manifest in Thursday’s uniquely compelling performance."
WTTW News: "Hahn is an extraordinary violinist, and not only did she bedazzle the audience with her playing (and with her stunning cherry red gown) but Alsop, and the members of the orchestra – with whom she visibly connected throughout her performance – applauded her as enthusiastically as the audience."

Blake Pouliot performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (stepping in for Renaud Capuçon, who was ill).

Dallas Morning News: "...he presented Brahms not in accustomed North German reserve, but as a composer of great passion. It wasn't necessarily the way I hear the piece, but it was compellingly — indeed, irresistibly — done."
Theater Jones: "Pouliot is certainly a violinist to watch."
Texas Classical Review: "Pouliot responded with a sweet, bright tone quality and, together with Heras-Casado, created a momentum that pulled the listener forward irresistibly."

Joanna Frankel performed several pieces on Paganini's 1743 "Il Cannone" Guarneri del Gesù with the Columbus Symphony.

The Columbus Dispatch: "In Frankel’s hands, Il Cannone brought a rare honesty to Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso. Straightforward melodies and unapologetic arpeggios brought authentic gravity to a French style that usually centers around lightness."

Benjamin Beilman performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

The Scotsman: "...expectations were high for (Beilman's) Sibelius with the larger forces of the RSNO – and it was no less spectacular. Restless, muscular, agile and deeply passionate, it displayed his impeccable technique to glorious effect, and he played it as though recounting a complex narrative, vividly portraying all its characters and plot twists."
The Herald Scotland: "Young American Benjamin Beilman gave a barn-storming performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto..."

Philippe Quint performed the Korngold Violin Concerto in D Major with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

Broadway World: "His playing was effortless. I felt as he played, he was telling a story with his music. During the times he wasn't playing I appreciated seeing him taking in the music playing all around him."

Jonathan Carney performed the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

MD Theatre Guide: "The intricacies of this piece are astonishing and Carney and the orchestra executed them brilliantly."

Jennifer Pike performed in recital with harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.

South China Morning Post: "The duo were convincing in contemporary compositions by Walter Piston and Jeremy Pike, but less well-matched in J.S. Bach’s sonatas."

Benjamin Morrison performed the Korngold Violin Concerto in D Major with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra,

stuff: "His playing really sang and drove the work right from the outset, flawlessly melodious and warm in tone. He projected perfectly, cutting through the backdrop of the orchestra with an intense sound, never putting a foot wrong with the technical demands of the work."

Boston Chamber Music Society performed in concert at Sanders Theater.

Boston Musical Intelligencer: "Boston Chamber Music Society offered up masterful performances of rarely heard works by Ravel, Loeffler, and Chausson on Sunday evening in Sanders Theater."

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

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jean dubuisson

May 22, 2019 at 07:02 PM · nice to hear that Beilman played without a shoulder rest ;-)

Dawson Weber

May 22, 2019 at 09:36 PM · and Hillary Hahn's encore:

A message from @violincase: “Due to program structure, it hasn’t worked out for me to play an encore every night, so for everyone in the audience who was so supportive and wanted to hear an encore but didn’t get to, here you go!” Hear Hahn with the CSO ? https://t.co/AY5OaaxeNi pic.twitter.com/AffdIF7dWC
— Chicago Symphony Orchestra (@chicagosymphony) May 21, 2019

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 272: Hilary Hahn; Blake Pouliot; Joanna Frankel

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