By Laurie Niles: 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.![Joshua Bell]()
Violinist Joshua Bell.Joshua Bell performed the U.S. West Coast premiere of "Elements" by Kevin Puts, Edgar Meyer, Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon and Jessie Montgomery with the New York Philharmonic.TwoSet Violin performed its 'TwoSet Violin World Tour' in Boston.Itzhak Perlman performed "In the Fiddler's House" at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.
Violinist Joshua Bell.
- Financial Times: "Even for composers known for their way with a lyrical line and satisfying harmonies, the fit between the movements was remarkable. Each was imaginative and distinctive while also flowing naturally from one to the other....Without the usual pile of virtuosic challenges for the violinist, this was still a showcase for him. One of the more sheerly beautiful players, the straightforward and warm communication of the music fitted his manner perfectly."
- blogcritics: "I'm delighted to report that the music, laden with beauty and drama, succeeds at all levels....(Joshua Bell's) touch and tone, dexterity and power were everything we have come to expect from him. The music, too, measured up to the composers' previous standout work."
- New York Times: "...on Friday, (conductor Jaap) van Zweden guided the orchestra eloquently and smoothly around Bell in 'The Elements.'"
- The Harvard Crimson: "Overall, TwoSet Violins concert was a breath of fresh air...Yang and Chen seamlessly translated their online humor to the live stage, incorporating a unique blend of classical music, comedy, and theater in their performance and ultimately creating a captivating experience that resonated with everyone present."
- Cincinnati Business Courier: "Kangs opening phrases captured this haunting atmosphere, and she communicated with a big, glorious sound on her 'Thunis' Stradivarius violin of 1702. The violinist easily balanced the concertos technical fireworks against moments of sheer poetry."
- Financial Times: "It was in 1995 that Perlman first presented 'In the Fiddlers House' with a group of star klezmorim. Nearly three decades later, the project has lost none of its charm and foot-stamping pizzazz. This old world music...feels particularly resonant in our current one."
- Vanguard: "Jennifer demonstrated her musical flexibility in a captivating 30-minute session, flawlessly shifting between classical current and Highlife Music."
- Interview with Joshua Bell: Creating 'The Elements' Violin Concerto with 5 Composers
- The Week in Reviews, Op. 418: Ilya Gringolts; Leonidas Kavakos; Carolin Widmann
- The Week in Reviews, Op. 417: Anne Akiko Meyers, Aubree Oliverson, Vilde Frang
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