The Week in Reviews, Op. 355: Pekka Kuusisto; Veronika Eberle; Noa Wildschut

May 31, 2022, 4:11 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 Pekka Kuusisto. Photo by Maija Tammi.

Pekka Kuusisto performed Bryce Dessner’s Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Chicago Classical Review: "...Kuusisto delivered one of the most jaw-dropping exhibitions of solo virtuosity seen on Chicago stages in a long time, soaring through the most impossible hurdles with complete technical security and huge panache."

Veronika Eberle performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Utah Symphony.

Utah Arts Review: "She entered authoritatively, and her opening passage went with an emphatic yet refined quality. This quality permeated the first movement, with the German violinist’s expressive phrasing, varied articulation, and generous tone giving the virtuosic passages a clear melodic structure."

Noa Wildschut performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

The Scotsman: "...stepping into Nicola Benedetti’s shoes is a tall order...Wildschut...allowed her endearing personality to quietly dominate, each sprightly physical gesture accompanied by instinctive musical thoughts ranging from the tenderest caress to the sparkiest bursts of rhythmic artillery."
The Times: "Her approach to the violin is more lyrical than demonstrative, but that made Mendelssohn’s solo line flow and shimmer in a way that made it feel lighter than air."

Bomsori Kim performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Bangkok Post: "...if her interpretation of the Beethoven Violin Concerto...is anything to go by, she is in fact that rarest of musical creatures, blessed with the innate ability to take the mighty warhorse concertos and raise them to the next level for today's audiences."

James Ehnes performed in recital with pianist Orion Weiss at Santa Barbara's Lobero Theater.

Santa Barbara Independent: "Friendly, neighborly stage presence aside, the violinist proved to be 'mean' where it counts, as a deeply musical interpreter and collaborator —with impeccable pianist Orion Weiss — capable of virtuosic flights when required."

Itzhak Perlman performed Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

EarRelevant: "The awaited event of the evening came after intermission: the appearance of super-star violinist Itzhak Perlman as soloist for Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the most famous and popular violin concertos in all of the solo violin repertoire."

Tai Murray performed in recital with pianist Martin Roscoe in Leeds.

TheReviewsHub: "A relatively restrained recital (excepting John Adams’ pyrotechnics) was given artistic shape by Tai Murray and Martin Roscoe’s artistry."

Rupert Marshall-Luck performed Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The Guardian: "Even Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto, performed in a new edition faithful to Coleridge-Taylor’s original intentions with Rupert Marshall-Luck as the impressively secure soloist, rather outstays its welcome..."

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 355: Pekka Kuusisto; Veronika Eberle; Noa Wildschut

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