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The Week in Reviews, Op. 409: Miriam Fried, Pekka Kuusisto, Eldbjørg Hemsing, Ray Chen

July 18, 2023, 12:25 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.

Miriam Fried performed Brahms’ Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia.

• Chicago Classical Review: "Fried’s performance was fearless, and conveyed the sort of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime lived with a score."

Pekka Kuusisto performed his own version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen at the BBC Proms.

• Evening Standard: "This was Vivaldi made fresh, no mean achievement with such well-worn music: the standing ovation was richly deserved. Kuusisto has an attractively spontaneous manner that easily draws listeners in; as an encore, he led musicians and audience through Nico Muhly’s arrangement of a Finnish folk song – the original Nordic noir, he suggested. After a quick rehearsal of its nonsense chorus, we were only too happy to sing along."

Eldbjørg Hemsing and pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner performed in recital for for Newport Classical.

• Boston Musical Intelligencer: "Hemsing is a subtle and sensitive performer, who can pull sound out of silence creating a sense of magic through her warm and gentle tones, and then be able to build upon them to create a sweeping majestic sound panoply, reminiscent of the Arctic vistas she wished to paint."

Ray Chen performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

• Limelight: "Chen’s golden tone, generous vibrato and flair for theatre ideally suited the cadenza-like exposition of that famous tune before the orchestra’s outrageously romantic re-entry with one of the composer’s big heart-on-the-sleeve tunes."

Augustin Hadelich performed Donnacha Dennehy's new violin concerto at the Aspen Music Festival.

• The Aspen Times: "Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy did create some fascinating moments, weaving orchestral textures and floating melodic lines in an atmospheric slow movement...."

Jeremy Black performed Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.

• Chicago Star: "With his customary finesse, the concertmaster Jeremy Black spun out the long, gorgeous melodies of the Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3 to a refreshing effect."

Gil Shaham performed the Barber Violin Concerto with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States.

• New York Classical Review: "Shaham was marvelous in the solo part, playing with an understated expression but a focus on the line and dynamics that let the music speak for itself. His playing in the finale was fabulous, the music rushing past but every note still clearly articulated and put into the context of all the others, the kind of dexterity that’s so skillful that it makes everything light and fluid."

Paul Huang and pianist Helen Huang performed works by Mendelssohn, Respighi, Ysaye and Saint-Saens in their Singapore recital debut.

• The Straits Times: "Both works showcased Paul Huang’s beautifully burnished violin tone, blessed with clear and immaculate articulation. This was also a partnership of equals, where Helen Huang’s pianism was complementary in every step, perfectly projected rather than just providing mere accompaniment."

Lindsey Stirling performed in Tel Aviv's Charles Bronfman Auditorium.

• The Jerusalem Post: "Stirling...did not disappoint. She tore across the stage with excited dancing as she played the violin in her signature orchestral pop style. Her movements, influenced by ballet and contemporary dance, were fluid and balanced, making the performance an impressive feat of multi-tasking brilliance, involving the playing of long, extended notes in full backbends and mid-pirouettes."

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

You might also like:

• The Week in Reviews, Op. 408: Tai Murray, Emerson String Quartet, Maxim Vengerov
• The Week in Reviews, Op. 407: Stefan Jackiw; TwoSet Violin; Gil Shaham
• The Week in Reviews, Op. 406: Jaewon Wee; Karen Gomyo; Kerson Leong & Livia Sohn

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