The Week in Reviews, Op. 234: Joshua Bell; Ray Chen; Celeste Golden Boyer; La Jolla Summerfest

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 performed Saint-Saëns Concerto No. 3 while conducting the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at the BBC Proms.

• TheArtsDesk.com: "...the spirit and style of Bell and his band made this a feel-good session to prove that musicians of this quality can delight a crowd without patronising populism. "

Ray Chen performed in recital with pianist Julien Quentin for Musica Viva.

• The Australian: "With his televisual appeal, Armani clothing contract and active presence on social media, Ray Chen trades on the image of being the very model of a modern violinist. But...what’s revealed onstage is the exact opposite, a throwback to an earlier era of stand-and-deliver violin virtuosity. And it’s stunning."

Celeste Golden Boyer performed Max Richter's "Recomposed" mixed with Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

• Cincinnati Business Courier: "Boyer was an alluring soloist who was comfortable in both the modernist and traditional movements. "

Paul Huang, Anna Lee, Tien Hsien, Cindy Wu, Heiichiro Ohyama and Hai-Ye Ni performed chamber music at the La Jolla Music Society SummerFest.

• San Diego Union-Tribune: "Over 20 years of attending SummerFest concerts, I have heard many performances I recall with pleasure. But this one moved the bar."

Joshua Bell performed Wieniawski Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood.

• The Berkshire Eagle: "He went through the super-romantic showpiece with his characteristic flair, finesse, tonal luster and, ultimately, sympathy with the music at hand. For an encore, he rewarded the delirious audience with an excerpt from "The Red Violin," the film that featured him as soloist and propelled him to stardom."

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