The Week in Reviews, Op. 290: Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson; Augustin Hadelich; Leonidas Kavakos

September 24, 2019, 11:03 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 Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson. Photo by Christian Steiner.

Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson performed Chris Brubeck's "Pas de Deux: Concerto for Violin, Violincello and Orchestra" with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

The Times Argus: "Laredo and Robinson delivered the virtuosity as well as musical depth and understanding with their unique flair. Laredo’s approach being more introverted and Robinson’s more extroverted, they played with unusual sensitivity to each other. And they sounded great."

Augustin Hadelich performed Sibelius' Concerto in D minor with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Shepherd Express: "I have some advice for classical music lovers in Milwaukee: anytime Augustin Hadelich comes to town, get yourself to the concert hall! Hadelich well may be the best violinist in the world."

Leonidas Kavakos performed Stravinsky's Violin Concerto with the Houston Symphony.

Texas Classical Review: "Kavakos evidently took his lead Saturday from Bach’s dynamism. He swept through the opening 'Toccata' and final 'Capriccio' with vigor, nimbleness and dashes of pungency, but he also slipped in a few graceful individual turns. The orchestra’s new concertmaster, Yoonshin Song, added her own agility to Kavakos’ in their brief, bracing duet in the 'Capriccio.'"

Itzhak Perlman performed music from popular films with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Calgary Herald: "Most of the selections were of the dreamy type — from Casablanca to Hotel Paradiso to Schindler’s List — and Perlman tossed them off with evident ease and the warm violin tone for which he is justly celebrated."

Bella Hristova performed Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major with the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra.

The Virginia Gazette: "Hristova delivered the lengthy work with finesse, easily handling the work’s double stops, cascading lines, dizzying virtuoso passages and rhythmic changes, displaying a warm, inviting sound and overall mastery and passion."

Nicola Benedetti performed the Sibelius, Violin Concerto with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra.

Worthing Herald: "In her increasing world fame, she remains grounded in her career roots. She cares about music-making outside the globe’s greatest concert halls and wants to remain part of that parallel world....Benedetti made the Strad sing out over tremulous strings, sounding around the Assembly Hall acoustic like a lone voice in the night."

Sarah Chang performed in recital with pianist Julio Elizalde at the University of Georgia.

The Red and Black: "She showed off her mastery of music and her ability to manipulate the audience’s emotions through her music and energy. Her playing captured the audience’s attention and drew them along for a ride through the emotions of hope, despair, joy, anger and sorrow in each song."

Emmanuel Tjeknavorian> performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Argus: "You really feel the 24 years of experience when you watch his fingering and precision as he plays the piece without any musical score to aid him."

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