The Week in Reviews, Op. 92: Leila Josefowicz, Gil Shaham, Anne Akiko Meyers

Written by Laurie Niles
Published: July 28, 2015 at 9:27 PM [UTC]

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.

Gil Shaham performed Bach's Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Aspen Chamber Symphony.

• Aspen Times: " Shaham provided extra wattage with brilliant playing in the opening work, J.S. Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1. The violinist’s usual grace, tonal precision and deft phrasing synchronized perfectly with Kahane’s brisk pace. The unanimity of purpose allowed for delicate moments that breathed between phrases without losing momentum. This is what chamber music is all about, but you don’t always hear it happen with a full orchestra. Audience response was ecstatic. After the fourth curtain call, it seemed as if Shaham might not play an encore. But he responded to vocal pleas from the crowd with the Gavotte en rondeau from the Partita No. 3, a marvel of dextrous technique, sublime phrasing and tasteful elaboration."

Anne Akiko Meyers performed the Prokofiev with the Eastern Festival Orchestra.

• CVNC: "Meyers was stunning, from her opening measures through the dramatic summits to the surprisingly tame finale. The concentration was on the music and her realization of it, and in this she was admirably partnered by Schwarz and his resident artists, never once getting ahead of the guest or encroaching on her incredibly beautiful tone, even in the very softest solo passages."

Leila Josefowicz performed Luca Francesconi's Duende: The Dark Notes with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

• The ArtsDesk: "Duende, receiving its UK premiere, isn’t really a violin concerto; fearless Leila Josefowicz’s role never dominates, and only twice, briefly, is she asked to do what a violinist usually does – to sing."
• The Telegraph: "Playing with wonderful virtuosity, Josefowicz commanded a part that scarcely rests and forms and almost constant aspect of the soundscape."

Isabelle Faust performed the Mendelssohn with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

• The New Zealand Herald: "Faust is wary of the expected. The sense of wonder that she brought to the second theme of this Allegro molto appassionata easily held the sentimental at bow's length; a persuasive cadenza had us reflect on what had gone before. She underplayed Mendelssohn's guileless Andante; there was an unassuming sweetness here with darker murmurings in the middle section. In the brilliant Finale, she was earthy, daring even to offer gruff retorts; this was far more than simply a glittering day trip to Mendelssohn's familiar fairyland."

Vadim Gluzman performed the Beethoven with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

• The Boston Musical Intelligencer: "There were hints of drama and style in his playing that make one wish to hear him in a less buttoned-down environment."

Veronika Eberle performed Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

• South China Morning Post: "From the chocolate sound of her first bow stroke, violinist Veronika Eberle immersed herself in Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No 1 and played like a star."

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

You might also like:

• Interview with Anne Akiko Meyers: The American Masters
• Interview with Gil Shaham: Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
• Interview with Leila Josefowicz and Esa-Pekka Salonen: Violin Concerto 'Out of Nowhere'

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