The Week in Reviews, Op. 280: Kristóf Baráti; Anne-Sophie Mutter; Aspen Highlights

July 16, 2019, 3:30 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 Kristóf Baráti. Photo by Marco Borggreve.

Kristóf Baráti performed in recital with pianist Anton Nel at the Aspen Music Festival.

The Aspen Times: "A violinist who commands attention for the music without calling too much attention to himself, Baráti executed it all with remarkable tone, articulation and detailed expression."

Anne-Sophie Mutter performed music by John Williams, with the composer conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra.

The Boston Musical Intelligencer: "...the bulk of the program — 12 numbers in the official listing—consisted of arrangements Williams had made for orchestra and solo violin at the request of Anne-Sophie Mutter, works that they have recently recorded, so that the concert was, in effect, a first hearing of the new disk."

Esther Yoo performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto; Sylvia Rosenberg played chamber music; and Stefan Jackiw played the Barber Violin Concerto -- all at the Aspen Music Festival.

The Aspen Times: "An alum of the festival’s school who has made her career so far in Europe, soloist Esther Yoo played with precision and deftness....the ageless violinist Sylvia Rosenberg, surrounding herself with three old friends — Michael Mermagen on cello, James Dunham on viola and Anton Nel on piano — gave us a glimpse into what chamber music is all about.... music director Robert Spano let the orchestra overwhelm the slender sound of the soloist, Stefan Jackiw, who played the piece artfully, at least what we could hear of it. The saving graces were Jackiw’s lyrical fluency and a ravishing oboe solo in the slow movement by Mingjia Liu. "

Jeremy Black and oboist Anne Bach performed Bach's Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor with the Grant Park Orchestra.

Chicago Classical Review: "Black and oboist Anne Bach were perfectly synchronized and stylishly elegant in a brisk reading of the opening Allegro. Their passagework was polished and exacting, seamlessly integrating with the small string ensemble and harpsichordist Stephen Alltop."

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