The Week in Reviews, Op. 500: Giuseppe Gibboni; Gil Shaham; Anne-Sophie Mutter

May 13, 2025, 2:22 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 Giuseppe Gibboni. Photo by Andrej Grilc.

Giuseppe Gibboni performed Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

EarRelevant: "Gibboni negotiated these challenges with sprezzatura, that wonderful Italian word that refers to effortless grace in making difficult tasks look easy. Gibboni dashed off the lightning-fast passages with assured virtuosity."

Gil Shaham performed Dvorák’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 with the New World Symphony and Edward Gardner.

South Florida Classical Review: "In nearly four decades on the world’s concert stages, Shaham’s technique is not only intact but stronger and more secure than ever. His tone can soar but, seasoned with gutsy Magyar overtones, it can sizzle with brusque fire. He brought all of that to Dvorák’s canvass. "

Anne-Sophie Mutter pianist Yefim Bronfman and cellist Pablo Ferrández performed in recital at Carnegie Hall.

New York Classical Review: "On Tuesday, the players shed any Classical-era inhibitions they might have felt in the Beethoven, and pushed for maximum drama in the “Pezzo elegaico” that opened the (Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio)."

Anne Akiko Meyers performed music from Hollywood's "Golden Age" with MUSE/IQUE.

San Francisco Classical Voice: "Meyers soloed in the famous lilting theme from "Laura" (1944), but the violinist was really able to cut loose from Hollywood frosting in her performance of Rózsa’s dynamically tense score for Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller "Spellbound" (1945)."

Tessa Lark double bassist Edgar Meyer and cellist Joshua Roman performed trios by Meyer at Sanders Theatre in Boston.

Boston Classical Review: "The marvel of Friday’s account was twofold. On the one hand, there was the ensemble’s locked-in playing. Roman’s blissed-out take on his part in the finale was especially striking. On the other, there was the easy confidence of Meyer’s compositional technique."

Helen Kim performed Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" with the Seattle Symphony.

The Strad: "Abounding with surprises, Kim’s playing showed a gift for making even the most familiar passage feel freshly imagined, avoiding eccentricity while underscoring Vivaldi’s innovation."

Daniel Lozakovich performed Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Tomáš Netopil.

Limelight: "...you could feel the pain and anger under the slim soloist’s fingers and formidable bowing arm. What a weapon this proved to be as he guided his 1713 'ex-Sancy' Stradivarius through the tortured and torturous double-stopped runs and cross-string aerobatics of the mighty cadenza in the first movement....Lozakovich had the audience transfixed throughout this seemingly effortless performance of this herculean piece."

Théotime Langlois de Swarte performed Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" with Le Consort at Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle.

Bach Track: "Le Consort’s achievement lies in more than historical polish. This young ensemble has actively explored the expressive possibilities of instrumental music, uncovering the vocal soul within Vivaldi’s concertos and demonstrating a rare command of psychological tension through sound."

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