The Week in Reviews, Op. 464: James Ehnes; Leila Josefowicz; Paul Huang

August 28, 2024, 4:17 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 James Ehnes.

James Ehnes makes his debut at Tanglewood, performing a program of Mozart and Beethoven with pianist Alessio Bax (filling in for Leonidas Kavakos and Daniil Trifinov).

The Berkshire Edge: "James Ehnes anchored the melody; Alessio Bax tempered emotion. It was the joy of the dance to the end. An instant standing ovation, and a nice encore of Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2 sealed the deal. This big-hearted duo was greatly appreciated by the patrons. We took that joy home with us."

Leila Josefowicz performed Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D major with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Bach Track: "She dove, swooped, glided, and swooned through the work, investing this neoclassical score with a buoyancy and fervor often missed. Humor and pathos mingled effortlessly as violinist and orchestra fed on each other’s virtuosity, powering a performance that sounded like a busking jam session as reimagined in cubist imagery."

Paul Huang performed Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in Taiwan with the NHK Orchestra.

NHK World Japan: "The soloist, Taiwan-born Paul Huang, received resounding applause for his well-coordinated performance with the orchestra. After the program, Huang told the audience that exchanges between Taiwan and Japan have been very close, and that he would like to open a new chapter in relations through this joint performance."

Nicola Benedetti performed Mark Simpson’s Violin Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

The Scotsman: "Benedetti powered through her performance, visibly at ease with its unrelenting technical demands, totally in tune with German-born conductor David Afkham, who extracted lightning precision from the RSNO. Ultimately, though, this is a work that tries too hard. A judicious edit, letting light into an often over-crowded score, would help reveal the clarity and purpose that, I suspect, lurks within."

Aubree Oliverson performed J.S. Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major with Kontrapunktus.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "Performing on a 1735 violin crafted by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini ...and a Jean 'Grand' Adam bow..., Oliverson offered a rendition that filled the hall with a bouquet of tonal lushness and flashes of virtuoso fireworks."

Blake Pouliot and Simone Porter performed Miklos Rozsa's Sonata for Two Violins at La Jolla's SummerFest.

San Diego Jewish World: "Rozsa's three movement sonata...was performed with Hungarian gusto by violinists Blake Pouliot and Simone Porter. The 'Lento Assai’s' lyrical beauty and the whirlwind dance of the last movement brought to mind the music of Rozsa’s compatriots, Bela Bartok and Kodaly, who were influenced by the same folk music and speech patterns."

James Ehnes performed Chausson "Poème" and Ravel's "Tzigane" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood.

Bach Track: "His playing was technically secure and expressive, its rapt delicacy and autumnal timbre reflecting the shifting moods and spirit of melancholy and introspection which run through the work’s 15 minutes. His dynamics ranged from soft to softest, drawing the listener in."

Midori performed sonatas by Mozart, Fauré and Richard Strauss with pianist Ozgur Aydin.

The Quintessential Review: "Individually masterful with their chosen instrument, the pair enjoy an easy, alchemical musical relationship. From the start, this concert of Mozart, Fauré, Schumann, and Richard Strauss felt like a concert for two, not a showcase for one."

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 464: James Ehnes; Leila Josefowicz; Paul Huang

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