The Week in Reviews, Op. 38: Ilya Kaler, Nathan Cole in concert (plus, Midori is expecting!)

Written by Robert Niles
Published: July 9, 2014 at 12:19 AM [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.

Ilya Kaler performed the Brahms with the Bowdoin International Music Festival Orchestra

• Portland Press Herald: "...it was more satisfying, musically and emotionally, than some more 'modern' interpretations and well deserved its rousing standing ovation, with cries of 'bravissimo!'"

Nathan Cole performed the Grieg Sonata with pianist John Novacek

• Theater Jones: "Cole accentuated (the "Jack Benny" Strad's) dark rich sound by keeping much of his playing on the lower strings when possible. Even the high E string had a more burnished sound than usual, although it didn’t appear to sacrifice brilliance to get it. Just beautiful! Also beautiful was his intonation. He was always dead center, which is the mark of a great artist."

In other violin-related news this week:

Congratulations to Midori Goto, who is expecting a baby, according to The Los Angeles Times. Midori, 42, currently is the chair of the strings department at USC's Thornton School of Music.

British violinist Robert Masters, known as Yehudi Menuhin's closest musical confidant, has died. He helped establish the Menuhin School in Surrey and was its director from 1969 to 1981.

How many people does it take to put on NY Phil concert in the park? Apparently, 2,000!

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