The Week in Reviews, Op. 323: Hilary Hahn; Leonidas Kavakos; Anne Akiko Meyers; Anne-Sophie Mutter

October 5, 2021, 12:14 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 Hilary Hahn. Photo by O.J. Slaughter, courtesy Decca.

Hilary Hahn performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra.

The Washington Post: "Hahn took flight from her entrance and scarcely relented, delivering tension one moment, tenderness the next. Her cadenza toward the close of the first movement was a feat of control and abandon, a stunning balance of the explosive and expressive — especially its soft landing."

Leonidas Kavakos performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

wttw News: "But this Thursday’s second concert in the fall series was absolutely electrifying as Leonidas Kavakos...returned to the stage with a galvanic rendering of Brahms’ 1878 'Violin Concerto in D Major,' leaving the packed house in a state of contained awe between movements, but then finally erupting in a standing ovation and extended volcanic applause once it drew to its rousing finale."

Anne Akiko Meyers performed in recital with pianist Fabio Bidini in Los Angeles.

Violinist.com: "...through a combination of fine playing, sincere music-making and thoughtful programming, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Fabio Bidini had audience members dabbing their eyes and sighing 'ah,' during their recital at the Wallis."

Anne-Sophie Mutter performed John Williams Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The Boston Musical Intelligencer: "The Concerto is a must-hear. It dazzles and emotes, making known the mind of a composer out of Hollywood writing concert music. It was at once beautifully bewildering and a masterfully crafted work."
wbur: "...little of my first hearing of this piece was staying with me."

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