The Week in Reviews, Op. 428: Jennifer Koh and Jaime Laredo; Geneva Lewis; Sergey Khachatryan
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.
Jennifer Koh and Jaime Laredo performed "Two x Four" with members of the Juilliard Orchestra at the Kennedy Center's Fortas Chamber Music Series.
- The Washington Post: "In Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, Strings and Continuo in D minor (BWV 1043), Koh and Laredo seemed to tell a story about their former dynamic as student/teacher at Curtis: Koh’s lines were bright, lively and piquant; Laredo’s rustic and leathery. Trading lines and smiles, they played the hell out of it. At one point, Koh even kicked off her heels."
Keep reading...
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Violin Master Class with Midori
On Sunday morning, I attended a master class with famed violinist and educator, Midori, a special event for the studio of New York City-based violin pedagogue Elizabeth Faidley. The dreary December weather did nothing to dampen the high energy and excitement in the packed theater.
Prior to any of the soloists taking the stage, five young violinists stood on stage, beautifully dressed and with huge smiles, ready to perform Vivaldi. I felt revitalized as soon as I heard the first notes of this violin quintet. These remarkable musicians, known as The Violin Virtuosi, represent the fourth incarnation of this ensemble under Elizabeth's studio, with its history of tours, performances, camaraderie, and a touch of magic. The ensemble presented a heartfelt welcome gift to Midori in the form of Vivaldi's Concerto in B Minor for Four Violins. In response, Midori generously bestowed her own miniature standing ovation, expressing her joy with laughter and spirited applause.
Renowned for her creative and innovative techniques in organizing masterclasses and events, Ms. Faidley's unique approach was evident in this masterclass, which diverged from the customary format that features three to four performers. Instead, she curated a showcase that featured an impressive 12 young students, ages seven to 17. Each violinist performed an excerpt while Midori watched with great delight, as if she were hearing pieces like the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto for the first time. Keep reading...
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The 2023 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our 14th annual Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide! Gift-giving is one of the great joys of the holiday season, and each year we compile a list of some of the year's best new gear, books, recordings, and other offerings from violinists for you to consider in your holiday gift-giving, gift-asking — and loading of the smartphone, computer or other device. We hope this allows you to consider a music-related gift. We include gifts you can purchase in support of our sponsors, recommendations from Laurie, and a list of some of this year's top recordings.
We also would suggest that you consider supporting your local live music scene by purchasing tickets to local music events or simply making a year-end donation to a musical non-profit of your choice. Please feel free add your suggestions in the comments section. And yes, in this case, you are allowed to toot your own horn and recommend your own CD or book or product! You may also wish to refer to our gift-giving guides from previous years; I've listed links to those at the end of this blog. Keep reading...
V.com weekend vote: In what role do you best know Leonard Bernstein?
Leonard Bernstein is on people's minds these days, thanks to the movie Maestro, a new bio-pic about one of the 20th century's most interesting and influential musicians.
The movie is coming out on Netflix on Dec. 20, but I wanted to see it in the theater, which proved to be a challenge, even in a city as big and movie-loving as Los Angeles - I saw it one of the small "select theaters" devoted to art flicks. I went with my son, Brian, who is 23.
And certainly, the film provided much food for thought. Bradley Cooper, who both directs and plays Bernstein, gives a remarkable performance, as does Carey Mulligan as Bernstein's wife, Felicia Montealegre. After an introduction showing Bernstein in the later stages of his life, it backs up and begins at the point in Bernstein's career when he is called last-minute to conduct the New York Philharmonic, at age 25. It goes on to focus on his relationship with his wife, with all the complications that stemmed from the fact he was gay and polyamorous. In the end is a searing depiction of Montealegre's struggle with cancer - him at her side.
I liked the movie quite a lot, as a depiction of one seemingly superhuman person's very human difficulties.
But there is only one Leonard Bernstein, and Bernstein's superpower lay in the fact that he could seemingly beam music from his soul, straight into your heart. Cooper, as an actor, could only go so far.
It occurred to me that, there are probably a number of people on Violinist.com who saw Bernstein conduct live, or who were sitting in the audience for a Young People's Concert, or who even interacted in some way with the man himself. I'm interested in that - and for those who never saw him live, what is the primary way that you know of Bernstein? As a conductor? An educator? A celebrity? Please participate in the vote and then share your thoughts about Leonard Bernstein.
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