The Week in Reviews, Op. 470: Sayaka Shoji; Chenyi Avsharian; Rachel Podger

October 8, 2024, 2:03 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 Sayaka Shoji. Photo by Laura Stevens.

Sayaka Shoji performed Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "As the soloist made her way into the Nocturne’s brooding, gradually expanding themes, she did so as if drawn by a mordant undertow....Then, in a sudden release of pressure, she tore into the Scherzo with an arsenal of attacks that ranged from caustically brittle to violent, pitiless strokes so deep into the violin’s strings it seemed as if her instrument itself might be at risk."

Chenyi Avsharian and pianist Rohan De Silva performed a recital called "Boundless Horizons" at Carnegie's Zankel Hall..

New York Classical Review: "The violinist soared through its technical challenges, including double-stopping, chromatic scales in thirds, and the composer’s extended use of harmonics. Equally impressive were the elegance and depth of emotion which she brought to the more lyrical passages."

Rachel Podger led Tafelmusik Baroque Ensemble in a concert of works by Mozart.

Ludwig van Toronto: "Rachel Podger, in a red dress, was a tour de force from the moment she walked onto the stage. Turning toward the ensemble with her upbeat, Podger and Tafelmusik tore through Mozart’s drama. "

Sunjae Ok won first prize in the Karol Lipinski Violin Competition in Poland, performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto in the final round with the Torun Symphony Orchestra.

The Strad: "Ok is a graduate of the Berlin University of the Arts, where he studied with Tomasz Tomaszewski and in 2020 won second prize at the 7th International Chamber Music Competition in Bydgoszcz."

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein performed Gabriela Ortiz' "Dzonot" cello concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "It’s a 31-minute concerto for cellist Alisa Weilerstein that uses elaborate yet easily grasped means to convey a simple message: Preserve natural environments in the face of climate change."

Ayano Ninomiya and pianist Pei-Shan Lee performed in recital at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall for the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.

Boston Musical Intelligencer: "Their alert musicianship and conscious phrasing enhanced musical intent, reflecting their sensitivity and attention to composers’ intents, as well as to one another. "

The Academy of St. Martin Chamber Ensemble performed a concert for Chamber Music Maryland.

Washington Classical Review: "... this was relentless, bravura music-making of a high order, leaving one reeling at the scale of Mendelssohn’s unique achievement."

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Stephen Brivati

October 9, 2024 at 06:44 AM · Good to know Rachel Podger wore a red dress…:). For those who are worried I would like to reassure you that she is generally a tour de force, irrespective of what she is wearing.

Raymond Concannon

October 9, 2024 at 04:27 PM · It’s amazing to think that Mendelssohn was only 16 years old when he composed his string octet. I wonder if Spohr’s Double Quartets were an influence as I don’t see a string octet mentioned before Mendelssohn’s.

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 470: Sayaka Shoji; Chenyi Avsharian; Rachel Podger

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