The Week in Reviews, Op. 380: Itzhak Perlman; Hilary Hahn; Christian Tetzlaff; Leonidas Kavakos

December 7, 2022, 10:06 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 Itzhak Perlman. Photo by Masterclass.com, courtesy Primo Artists.

Itzhak Perlman performed a klezmer music concert with a 12-person band at Chicago’s Symphony Center.

Third Coast Review: "Together with Perlman (the musicians) produced a toe-tapping, hand-clapping zeitgeist that prevailed throughout the evening — so much so that when (saxophonist Hankus) Netsky declared the hall a 'simcha palace' (a Jewish venue for parties and celebrations) midway through the concert, most attendees got up on their feet and a number of them accepted the invitation to dance in the aisles."

Hilary Hahn performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

EarRelevant: "Hahn, one of the world’s great interpreters of violin music, performed her solo part of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto brilliantly. She is a violinist who plays with a strong sonic presence and projection, something not always the case even within the professional circuit."

Christian Tetzlaff performed four of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Mass.

The Arts Fuse: "His Chaconne was magnificent, a virtuoso chiaroscuro of hope and despair. I have known and loved this composition all my life. I have never heard it performed better."

Leonidas Kavakos performed in recital with pianist Yuja Wang at Wigmore Hall.

The Guardian: "If ever two musicians seemed to be in their own separate worlds when playing together, it’s the violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Yuja Wang. And yet the level of shared detail and purpose in this recital – a generous programme of three meaty sonatas and three encores – was proof of the ongoing strength of the longstanding occasional partnership between these star soloists."

Maxim Vengerov performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Romanian National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Evening Standard: "Vengerov recorded (this concerto) in 1994 (and) he played here with all the rapt intensity of first love. His lovely violin tone, ushered in by the merest whisper from the orchestra’s strings, immediately showed his aristocratic poise. His instrument sings throughout its range, from its celestial highs down to a deep, dark resonance that has the mournful quality of a viola."

Noah Bendix-Balgley performed Mozart's Concerto No. 1 with the Berlin Philharmonic at at the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium.

The Michigan Daily: "For fans of the orderly and regimented style of classical music Mozart mastered, Bendix-Balgley and the Berlin Phil’s performance was nothing short of perfection, setting the standard for how Mozart should be played. For those who find Mozart boring and predictable, Bendix-Balgley’s varied and masterful solo playing was more than enough to keep the piece captivating. "

Christian Li performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Limelight: "Li is undoubtedly one of the talents of his generation.....Li delivered a reading of astonishing technical control and virtuosic flair and looked relaxed and confident on the Hamer Hall stage. He played throughout with a rich tone and unerring intensity of vibrato."

Cellist Julian Schwarz performed Lalo’s Cello Concerto with Symphony San José.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "Schwarz is an accomplished cellist, clear and precise in his playing, commanding a variety of tones from low and rough to high and smooth."

Lindsey Stirling performed her Snow Waltz winter tour show in Orlando.

Geekdad: "Lindsey isn’t just an accomplished violinist and dancer, she also has aerial skills and showed them off more than a few times during the show. It hurts my head trying to figure out how someone can do aerial moves while playing the violin (and upside down no less)."

The Orion Ensemble performed at Chicago's PianoForte Studios.

Chicago Classical Review: "At their performance Wednesday night...one felt deep respect and admiration for four women who have spent the better part of a professional lifetime deeply engaged with each other in such a shared project."

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

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Neil Poulsen

December 9, 2022 at 03:55 PM ·

I wonder if a recording of Perlman's Chicago, klezmer concert will become available? If so, I'll buy it. Klezmer music is terrific. It wouldn't surprise me, if the "12 person band" was the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Perlman has had at least a 20 year association with that group.

I have Rejoice, which is a DVD video recording of a klezmer concert performed by Perlman, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and Cantor Yitzchak Helfgot. The DVD was professionally recorded, and it's fabulous. It was my first exposure to klezmer music. Talk about infectious.

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 380: Itzhak Perlman; Hilary Hahn; Christian Tetzlaff; Leonidas Kavakos

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