The Week in Reviews, Op. 33: James Ehnes, Tai Murray, Veronika Eberle in concert

Written by Robert Niles
Published: June 3, 2014 at 9:06 PM [UTC]

In an effort to promote the coverage of live music, each week Violinist.com brings you links to reviews of notable violin performances from around the world.

James Ehnes performed the Beethoven with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

• The Star-Ledger: "James Ehnes proved a technical marvel as the soloist for Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a much-loved work that carries Mozartian grace but also an intrepid quality."
• Examiner.com: "The energetic Rondo: Allegro (Round: Glad) came off brilliantly, giving the lie to the misperception that this concerto is introspective, not flashy. The violinist played the cadenzas by Fritz Kreisler."

Tai Murray performed the Tchaikovsky with the Alabama Symphony

• The Birmingham News: "Murray, a violinist whose star has already risen at age 32, delivered a gripping solo in the Tchaikovsky concerto."

Simone Lamsma performed the Britten with the Cleveland Orchestra, substituting for Janine Jansen

• The Plain Dealer: "Filling in for an ailing Janine Jansen, the rising Dutch violinist managed on her Cleveland debut not just to get through the originally scheduled work, Britten's Violin Concerto, but also to triumph with it. Thus did she go down in history both for a remarkable substitution and for giving the work's Severance premiere."

Akiko Suwanai performed the Tchaikovsky with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Tokyo

• Philadelphia Inquirer: "…there was nothing passive about (conductor) Nézet-Séguin's collaborative performance, in which the orchestra seemed to wrap itself around soloist Akiko Suwanai, a wonderful player who seemed rather more wonderful with the Philadelphians framing her."

Veronika Eberle performed the Beethoven with the London Symphony Orchestra

• The Guardian: "Exceptionally delicate dynamics were a hallmark throughout, as both orchestra and soloist spun the first and second movements out into the merest scintillas of sound, which made the closing rondo all the more impressive for being harder won than usual."
• The Arts Desk: "I thought that the Swabian violinist Veronika Eberle appeared hesitant at the start, but grew in authority."

Pekka Kuusisto performed the Sibelius with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

• The Telegraph (third item): "He brought a sense of occasion to his performance and seemed enraptured with the music."

Livia Sohn performed the Pergolesi with the Spoleto Festival chamber orchestra

• The Post and Courier: "Livia Sohn soloed in front of an improvised Baroque chamber orchestra. It was a lovely piece played with pure grace, intelligence and the right dose of sentiment."

We'd love to hear about any recent concerts and recitals you've attended. Or just tell us in the comments what you think about these reviews!

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