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. Photo by Shervin Lainez.Joshua Bell performed Dvoráks Violin Concerto with Daniele Rustioni and the New York Philharmonic.Edna Unseld won the 2025 Cooper International Competition for Violin.Christian Tetzlaff performed Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 35 with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.
Violinist Joshua Bell. Photo by Shervin Lainez.
- New York Classical Review: "Bell was excellent from the first notes, his exquisite tone pushing out enormous energy, expression, and forward drive. He knew exactly where he wanted to go and what he wanted to say, and his playing was full of excitement."
- Bach Track: "From the sumptuous opening theme to the effervescently dancing finale, he navigated with ease the fiendishly difficult passages, shaped by Dvoráks non-idiomatic writing for the violin, while delivering the long, melancholy-imbued phrases of the Adagio with simplicity and warmth."
- Utah Classical Review: "A consummate violinist, the German-born Hadelich played with depth and well-defined dynamics that allowed him to put his mark on the music, whether in the softest piano passages or the loudest forte sections. "
- San Francisco Classical Voice: "In the hands of Ray Chen, the superstar Taiwanese Australian violinist, these movements demanded attention. From the naive first theme of the opening Allegro, the playing was rhapsodic, with rapid vibrato and razor-sharp sound."
- Oberlin News: "Edna Unseld, a 13-year-old violinist from Zurich, Switzerland secured first place and a robust prize package with her performance of Pyotr Tchaikovskys Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Norman Huynh, Conductor."
- Chicago Classical Voice: "Each movement (of Abokkoli Taloowa - Woodland Songs) is highly evocative, and there are memorable textures with Native strains unfolding over intricate accompaniments....there is much ingenious writing, and with the Dovers sensitive advocacy Woodland Songs still makes an impact..."
- Bach Track: "With Christian Tetzlaff as soloist, Karol Szymanowskis brilliantly colourful Violin Concerto No. 1 was by far the highlight of the evening. Tetzlaff knows it well. His stamina, grasp of the structure and emotional range were impeccable, seamlessly balancing the diaphanous lyricism with grittier fiddling in the Vivace sections and the short cadenza. "
- The Scotsman: "Rachel Podger bounded beaming onto the Queens Hall stage brandishing what looked like a miniature-sized kids violin....a piccolo violin...All that set the tone for a concert of warmth (just as well, given the Baltic blast outside) and fellowship, showcasing not only Podgers own liquid, silvery but strongly defined playing....but also several of the SCOs own musicians."
- The Week in Reviews, Op. 482: Lisa Batiashvili, Gil Shaham, Gary Levinson
- The Week in Reviews, Op. 481: Ray Chen, Georg Kallweit, H + H Society
- The Week in Reviews, Op. 480: Andrew Bird, Leonidas Kavakos, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason
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