The Week in Reviews, Op. 487: Veronika Eberle, Alexander Kerr, Carolin Widmann

February 11, 2025, 1:51 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. Click on the highlighted links to read the entire reviews.

Violinist Veronika Eberle. Photo by Louie Thain.

Veronika Eberle performed Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Nathalie Stutzmann.

Boston Classical Review: "The vitality of the partnership was confirmed during the concerto’s three substantial cadenzas, all of which were composed for Eberle during the pandemic by Jörg Widmann. While the acerbity of the German composer’s musical language doesn’t quite jibe with Beethoven’s original—the first-movement installment involves the recomposition of part of that movement’s coda to help bridge the stylistic gap—on Thursday the effort helped shake up settled notions about how this beloved concerto should sound."
Boston Musical Intelligencer: "The German violinist planted us squarely in the face of Beethoven, her touches of the composer summoning the eloquence of the real man, joining the French conductor, and Boston orchestra in a great united spirit....This was truly an alive concert—a consequential one as it should prove to be in future outings."

Alexander Kerr performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Fabio Luisi.

Texas Classical Review: "Concertmaster Alexander Kerr’s rendition of the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 highlighted the best things about his playing: precise technique, warm tone, and lush vibrato that is just right for a Romantic concerto."
The Dallas Morning News: "The de facto Bruch concerto had a fine soloist Thursday in DSO concertmaster Alexander Kerr. He had assured flair for the showier parts, but in lyrical music he turned one shapely phrase after another."

Carolin Widmann performed Bernstein's "Serenade" with the London Symphony Orchestra and Antonio Pappano, stepping in for Janine Jansen.

The Arts Desk: "...she knows the work inside out, had the forthrightness for the extrovert passages and the virtuosity for the “Eryximachus” scherzo, and worked infallibly well with the orchestra and Pappano – perfect teamwork."

Tai Murray performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 with the Sedona Symphony and Janna Hymes.

Sedona Red Rock News: "Murray began the first movement with an intimate, insinuating tone before proceeding to take the next passages at a dazzling pace, the basses and cellos providing consistent support for her furious high notes. Her style of play can only be described as dashing, almost casually so....a spirited, youthful, springlike plunge into the work’s melodic richness."

Gil Shaham performed Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Palm Beach Symphony.

South Florida Classical Review: "Violinist Gil Shaham’s approach to the Beethoven Violin Concerto emphasized speed, lightness and a disposition to step back and let the orchestra take the leading role."

Braimah Kanneh-Mason, guitarist Plínio Fernandes cellist Rafael Marino Arcaro and others performed for "Through the Noise" in England.

The Arts Desk: "Kanneh-Mason’s violin sang out like a lark, while the warmly resonant cello accompaniment was underpinned by guitar playing that was simultaneously eloquent and astringent."

The Dover Quartet performed in recital at the University of Miami’s Newman Recital Hall.

South Florida Classical Review: "Culminating a day-long residency at the Frost School of Music that included coaching and masterclasses, the concert was a demonstration of skilled ensemble playing and interpretive depth. The Dover’s intonation and corporate blending are impeccable and their skill at playing even the most difficult scores is awesome. "

Benjamin Nabarro performed "The Lark Ascending" with Ensemble 360.

Bach Track: "Benjamin Nabarro was in astonishing form, his violin singing sweetly, the flights of fancy leaving the audience in stunned admiration as the wisps of sound floated away into the blue distance."

Please support music in your community by attending a concert or recital whenever you can!

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The Week in Reviews, Op. 487: Veronika Eberle, Alexander Kerr, Carolin Widmann

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