The Week in Reviews, Op. 289: Soovin Kim; Leila Josefowicz; Rachel Barton Pine

September 17, 2019, 12:22 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 Soovin Kim.

Soovin Kim performed Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D with A Far Cry.

The Boston Globe: "As a performer, Kim was assertive and gracious, drawing out a warm, welcoming sound from his violin; combined with the friendly atmosphere of the stage, the concerto felt like a family reunion. Kim’s first movement cadenza was rock solid, and the sparky sizzle he polished it off with was almost a surprise after his grounded approach to the lead-up."
Boston Musical Intelligencer: "'Virtuosic' befits Soovin Kim’s exemplary performance of the iconic Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major as well as the ensemble’s rendition of the 'largest' work it has yet tackled (requiring a number of 'Guest Criers'). Kim’s parsimonious yet quietly joyful physical style belies his expansive, all-encompassing and deeply emotional sound."

Leila Josefowicz performed Colin Matthews’s Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra.

The Guardian: "(At its 2009 premiere) it came across as an impressive, unconventionally disquieting work. It seems even more powerful now, partly because of Josefowicz’s fierce commitment to a solo part that never parades virtuosity for its own sake, but also because its challenges always serve a searching and rewardingly complex musical argument."

Rachel Barton Pine performed Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

Tulsa World: "She brought out the vocal quality of the music of the first movement— at times wistful, at times theatrical — that made them sound like a series of art songs, or arias that seemed to call forth echoes from one's memory (possibly because Barber's use of harmonies that brought to mind Aaron Copland)."

Daniel Pioro performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at BBC Prom 70.

musicOMH: "The violinist Daniel Pioro brought a fluency and clear understanding of period, shape and direction to the Passacaglia from Biber’s C-minor sonata for solo violin, and its segue into the vivace movement of Penderecki’s Sinfonietta was a masterly move, reminding us of the busy, almost Baroque counterpoint of the latter work."

Annie Gard performed Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G major Op. 9 No 10; and Christian Li performed the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia with Shaun Lee-Chen; with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

Limelight: "(Gard's) lyrical performance explored subtle, haunting timbres and intense melodic lines melting into air in an understated display of virtuosity."..."From the moment he ripped into the trenchant opening chords of the Halvorsen it was clear that Li is something rather extraordinary. Indeed, labelling him a ‘child prodigy’ feels inaccurate, underplaying the artistry, technical wizardry and sheer bravado unleashed when he begins to play. It was only when a little grin flicked across his face as he and Lee Chen faced off against each other in a particularly wicked variation that I remembered, with surprise, that he was just a youngster."

Here is video of Li and Lee-Chen:

Double bassist Xavier Foley performed in recital with pianist Kelly Yu-Chieh at Hudson Hall.

The Millbrook Independent: "Double bassist Xavier Foley...is a rising star approaching the level of Gary Karr. He is an amazing musician at home in a plethora of musical styles. He is (like Wynton Marsalis) that rare musician who can play both classical and jazz."

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