The Week in Reviews, Op. 483: Joshua Bell; Augustin Hadelich; Ray Chen

January 14, 2025, 5:05 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 Joshua Bell. Photo by Shervin Lainez.

Joshua Bell performed Dvorák’s Violin Concerto with Daniele Rustioni and the New York Philharmonic.

New York Classical Review: "Bell was excellent from the first notes, his exquisite tone pushing out enormous energy, expression, and forward drive. He knew exactly where he wanted to go and what he wanted to say, and his playing was full of excitement."
Bach Track: "From the sumptuous opening theme to the effervescently dancing finale, he navigated with ease the fiendishly difficult passages, shaped by Dvorák’s non-idiomatic writing for the violin, while delivering the long, melancholy-imbued phrases of the Adagio with simplicity and warmth."

Augustin Hadelich performed the Brahms’ Violin Concerto with conductor Elim Chan and the Utah Symphony.

Utah Classical Review: "A consummate violinist, the German-born Hadelich played with depth and well-defined dynamics that allowed him to put his mark on the music, whether in the softest piano passages or the loudest forte sections. "

Ray Chen performed Barber's Violin Concerto with James Gaffigan and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "In the hands of Ray Chen, the superstar Taiwanese Australian violinist, these movements demanded attention. From the naive first theme of the opening Allegro, the playing was rhapsodic, with rapid vibrato and razor-sharp sound."

Edna Unseld won the 2025 Cooper International Competition for Violin.

Oberlin News: "Edna Unseld, a 13-year-old violinist from Zurich, Switzerland secured first place and a robust prize package with her performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Norman Huynh, Conductor."

The Dover Quartet performed works by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate at Northwestern University’s Winter Chamber Music Festival.

Chicago Classical Voice: "Each movement (of Abokkoli’ Taloowa’ - Woodland Songs) is highly evocative, and there are memorable textures with Native strains unfolding over intricate accompaniments....there is much ingenious writing, and with the Dover’s sensitive advocacy Woodland Songs still makes an impact..."

Christian Tetzlaff performed Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35 with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

Bach Track: "With Christian Tetzlaff as soloist, Karol Szymanowski’s brilliantly colourful Violin Concerto No. 1 was by far the highlight of the evening. Tetzlaff knows it well. His stamina, grasp of the structure and emotional range were impeccable, seamlessly balancing the diaphanous lyricism with grittier fiddling in the Vivace sections and the short cadenza. "

Rachel Podger performed an all-Bach concert with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

The Scotsman: "Rachel Podger bounded beaming onto the Queen’s Hall stage brandishing what looked like a miniature-sized kid’s violin....a piccolo violin...All that set the tone for a concert of warmth (just as well, given the Baltic blast outside) and fellowship, showcasing not only Podger’s own liquid, silvery but strongly defined playing....but also several of the SCO’s own musicians."

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 483: Joshua Bell; Augustin Hadelich; Ray Chen

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