The Week in Reviews, Op. 460: Stella Chen, Benjamin Beilman, James Ehnes

July 30, 2024, 5:55 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 Stella Chen.

Stella Chen performed Barber's Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "The outstanding characteristic of her performance was her easy and sure command of the music. She had complete control over this concerto; when she wasn’t playing, it was as if she’d impulsively paused to let the orchestra — strong and vivid — have a say."

Benjamin Beilman performed Brahms Violin Concerto with the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center.

BlogCritics: "With its muscular and orchestration and heady emotion, this is a showpiece if there ever was one when graced with a superb soloist such as Mr. Beilman....Mr. Beilman undertook the task with what seemed total confidence. With pinpoint intonation, a fine balance of expressivity and technique, and enchanting suavity he resembled a less aggressively self-assured Joshua Bell. (And I don’t make such a comparison lightly.)"

James Ehnes performed Korngold's Violin Concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Bach Track: "Soloist James Ehnes opened with a honeyed theme that evoked the golden age of Hollywood with the wistfulness of a bygone era. Ehnes projected with clarity through the iridescent, technicolor orchestration, purveying a virtuosity that was in service of the work’s lyrical core rather than showy affectation."

Tamsin Waley-Cohen. performed in recital at the Music at Paxton festival.

The Times: "Her programme featured music of fiendish difficulty, but she played it with focus and easy beauty that at times almost bordered on insouciance. "

Emily Sun performed with pianist Joseph Havlat in recital at Ukaria Cultural Centre near Adelaide.

In Review: "Sun has had “The Adelaide” (Guadagnini violin) for just six months. That’s a short time to get to know an instrument before playing it in public, but she and fellow London-based pianist Joseph Havlat agreed to present this recital at UKARIA to showcase the special instrument."

Rachell Ellen Wong, Keir GoGwilt, Giancarlo Latta and violist Andrew Gonzalez performed at Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon Music Festival.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "The concert...was called 'The Americas' and included a veritable cornucopia of works, all of which received excellent performances."

Risa Hokamura, cellist Zuill Bailey, pianist Victor Asuncion, clarinetist David Shifrin and pianist William Ransom performed in recital at the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in North Carolina.

EarRelevant: "Although written over 80 years ago, Quartet for the End of Time remains challenging for the average classical audience more accustomed to Brahms. Still, the performers gave the piece a compelling performance to cap off the concert. Especially given the unpredictable events of the last few weeks, I truly appreciated the opportunity to hear this deeply mystical, apocalyptic work again."

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 460: Stella Chen, Benjamin Beilman, James Ehnes

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