The Week in Reviews, Op. 59: Hilary Hahn, Leonidas Kavakos, Frank Peter Zimmermann in Concert

Written by Robert Niles
Published: December 2, 2014 at 8:05 PM [UTC]

Photo by Michael Patrick O'Leary

Hilary Hahn returned to performance in the United States, performing the Korngold with the New York Philharmonic.

• The New York Times: "Ms. Hahn has performed this work for years; her playing was at once impetuous and authoritative, brilliant and beautiful."

Also, Hilary talked about the Korngold before the performance:

Leonidas Kavakos conducted and performed Bartók's "Two Portraits" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

• Boston Globe: "The guest conductor and violin soloist was Leonidas Kavakos, who made his BSO debut in 2007 in Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2. “Two Portraits,” which the orchestra had never performed, was welcome, and the Haydn was well played. The Mussorgsky, however, was magnificent."
• Boston Classical Review: "As a violinist, Kavakos boasts a dexterous technique and a glowing tone. But as a conductor, he often is an awkward presence, leading with swaying, scooping, and even flapping gestures. Personal podium style aside, he managed to bring out the soft textures and delicate inner voices Tuesday night."
• The Boston Music Intelligencer: "(Kavakos is) apparently good at everything. He’s an outstanding soloist and recitalist, and he’s a fine chamber musician. And he can conduct. But he doesn’t have his own band to shape and mold, and guest gigs can go just so far, so you can’t really judge whether he’d become one of the standouts. While Barenboim may be the prime exception to the rule, from what he demonstrates already, Kavakos has the makings to become another."

Frank Peter Zimmermann performed the Sibelius with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

• The Daily Review: "This was a formidable performance and it was a privilege to witness Zimmermann at the height of his powers."

Elina Vahala performed the Corigliano with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

• Detroit Free Press: "Soloist Elina Vahala was terrific, roaring through the blazing Paganini-like passages, leaning into the hyper-romantic melodies and glissandos, projecting Bach-like double-stops to the back of the hall with a fulsome sound."

Dmitri Berlinsky performed the Beethoven with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

• The Argus: "The orchestra provided a subtle and at times powerful platform for soloist Dmitri Berlinsky to play a beautifully measured Beethoven Violin Concerto In D Major."

Philippe Quint performed Bernstein's "Serenade" with the Kansas City Symphony.

• Kansas City Star: "...violinist Philippe Quint performed with passion and precision, the orchestra responding with excellent rapport."

The musical comedy team of violinist Aleksey Igudesman and pianist Hyung-ki Joo performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

• : "No one present is likely ever to hear the slow movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 the same way after hearing it as a violin solo turned into a song with lyrics about being alone that had the symphony players crying and finally getting out of their chairs to hug each other in support."

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