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The Week in Reviews, Op. 345: Joshua Bell; Leila Josefowicz; Gil Shaham

March 15, 2022, 4:15 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.

Joshua Bell performed Dvorak's Violin Concerto and led the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in Boston.

• Boston Musical Intelligencer: "...Bell never shows strain in his double role, he always appears in complete control of his players and his gorgeous 1713 Huberman Stradivarius. One admires in Joshua Bell on many levels, especially his unerring accuracy and beauty of tone across his instrument’s entire range."

Leila Josefowicz performed Stravinsky's Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony.

• Datebook: "(Esa-Pekka Salonen) and Josefowicz turned the Violin Concerto into a joyous romp, full of leaps and exuberance. It was a rare chance to hear Stravinsky in a sunny vein, and one could only marvel at Josefowicz’s technical prowess and expressive depth."
• The Daily Californian: "Josefowicz, the 2008 Macarthur recipient, proved her creative genius throughout the 22-minute piece. The performance utilized every muscle of her figure, sparking spontaneity and joy. During quick, intricate passages, a mischievous smile arose on Josefowicz’s face — as if letting everyone in on a sly inside joke."

Gil Shaham performed Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

• Channel 3000: "When he wasn’t playing his 1699 Stradivarius, he was interacting with the violin section of the orchestra, encouraging any other member of the group who played a solo part, grinning happily and, seemingly, having a wonderful time."

Concertmaster Peter Otto performed Walton’s Violin Concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra.

• Cleveland.com: "What separated Otto from the pack and elicited a standing ovation was his sense of direction. Distinct as they are, all three movements with Otto followed a clear, compelling track. Those fierce chords, lush melodies, and winsome high notes were more than fireworks. They were steps on a journey."

Simone Porter performed Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14 with the Sarasota Orchestra.

• Herald-Tribune: "Simone Porter, a violinist of considerable skill and renown, spun gold from the rich melodic material in Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14."

Noah Bendix-Balgley performed Jonathan Leshnoff’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

• The Oklahoman: "Bendrix-Balgley’s rich, warm sound was phenomenal. The piece itself was accessible, lively, and had very beautiful thematic moments..."

Patricia Kopatchinskaja performed Stravinsky's Violin Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

• LeftLion: "In a stunning display of skill and dexterity, she achieves what Stravinsky had thought impossible when composing this piece - he had considered it 'unplayable.' Kopatchinskaja’s treatment of the piece sends shivers and tingles down the spine. She is bursting with energy, playful and smiling throughout, noticeably enjoying her work."

Bacco Liu performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and Max Richter "Recomposed" with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.

• Sioux City Journal: "Liu...was the real force in this trip through nature. He gave both Vivaldi and Richter the attention they demanded while simultaneously revealing his own musical personality."

Hugo Ticciati and Cecilia Ziano performed "Aldo" by Luciano Berio with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

• The Scotsman: "It was Ticciati...who dedicated the moving miniature violin duo 'Aldo' by Luciano Berio to the victims of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, and his account with the SCO’s Cecilia Ziano was so restrained and reverent that it virtually amounted to a silent reflection. "

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

You might also like:

• The Week in Reviews, Op. 344: Bella Hristova; Jennifer Koh; Leonidas Kavakos
• The Week in Reviews, Op. 343: Ray Chen; Tai Murray; Baiba Skride
• The Week in Reviews, Op. 342: Patricia Kopatchinskaja; Daniel Lozakovich; Brendon Elliott 'The Chevalier'

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