The Week in Reviews, Op. 438: Julia Fischer, Geneva Lewis, Benjamin Beilman and Curtis on Tour

February 27, 2024, 12:09 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 Julia Fischer.

Julia Fischer performed Brahms' Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

San Francisco Chronicle Datebook: "Fischer’s playing combined flawless intonation with a spirit of exuberance that created a marvelous balance....Fischer and Salonen together gave that duality a compelling shape, particularly in the two outer movements."
San Francisco Classical Voice: "Fischer brought lyrical eloquence, dynamic delicacy, dramatic urgency, and musing introspection to this repertory staple. A commanding technique knitted it all together, without ever drawing attention to itself, like the stitchery of a fine garment."

Geneva Lewis performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Arts Knoxville: "It was a bit surprising, yet ultimately satisfying, to find Lewis and (conductor Aram) Demirjian taking an extremely nuanced path, with careful tempos, articulated details, and subtle, almost delicate dynamics."

Benjamin Beilman and Curtis on Tour performed at the Modern Art Museum in the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth series.

Texas Classical Review: "While the players’ technique was never overtly on display, each served the group’s superb interpretations. Throughout the program, the Curtis on Tour ensemble played with exquisite balance, intonation, and sensitivity."

Karen Gomyo and trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth performed the world premiere of Xi Wang’s "Year 2020" with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Texas Classical Review: "Sonically, YEAR 2020 proceeded like a dialogue between extreme emotions, alternating between lyrical melodies (that Wang associates with love and peace) carried by Gomyo’s violin."

Philip Setzer performed with violist Paul Neubauer, pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel in a Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center program at Wolf Trap.

Washington Classical Review: "... they performed Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 2, the less often heard of the composer’s two examples of the genre, to open the concert. The cohesive, expertly balanced sound of the ensemble brought out many subtle effects in the score."

Patricia Kopatchinskaja performed her own multimedia work "Dies Irae" with the Aurora Orchestra and Aurora Voices in London.

The Guardian: "It all adds up to a challenging, provocative evening that leaves you feeling vaguely shell-shocked."

Esther Yoo performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no. 1 in D major with the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bach Track: "...she responded admirably to the first movement’s lyricism and other-worldliness, if not fully enjoying the chutzpah of the mechanistic Scherzo. She seemed more at home in the Finale, bringing soulfulness and a more yielding tone to its radiance."

Red Dot Baroque performed Biber's Mystery Sonatas in Singapore.

The Straits Times: "10 works were performed by six members of RDB and 10 students of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory....While the sonatas were meant for deep reflection and affirmation of one’s faith, the creative spirit in Biber could not but help turn these into showpieces....One may surmise that without Biber, there might have been no Bach."

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