Violinist.com

The Week in Reviews, Op. 452: Maria Dueñas, Anne-Sophie Mutter, James Ehnes

June 4, 2024, 1:28 PM · 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.

Maria Dueñas performed Gabriela Ortiz's "Altar de cuera" Violin Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Barbican.

I News: "As the centrepiece, they brought the UK premiere of a new violin concerto by the Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, written for and dedicated to its soloist, 21-year-old Maria Dueñas,...frankly, a stunning, mesmerising firebrand; in command of an inspiring range of colour on her instrument, she was unfazed by the many challenges Ortiz threw into her path."
The Guardian: "Certainly there is plenty of sharp-etched detail in this busy three-movement concerto, with febrile solo figuration in the outer movements, which was brilliantly projected by María Dueñas, for whom it was conceived, and a slow movement that floats a fragile violin line over glassy orchestral harmonies. It’s an effective, vivid showpiece, even if its musical ideas do not linger in the memory very long."

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Njioma Grevious and Caeli Smith Join Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Laurie Niles

June 3, 2024, 2:18 PM · The New York-based Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has announced the appointments of violinist Njioma Grevious, who will join the ensemble as a full member, and violist Caeli Smith, who will join as an associate member, effective immediately.

Orpheus hires its new core members through a democratic process, and so both musicians were longtime substitutes who were selected by the Artistic Directors and fellow principal musicians to continue as permanent members.

"Both of these musicians have been playing with Orpheus for some years, and we all have had the joy to see, hear, and interact with them," said Executive Director Alexander Scheirle. "It is truly a wonderful moment to welcome Njioma Grievous and Caeli Smith to our orchestra."
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Live from the Queen Elisabeth Competition Violin 2024: the final roundup

Heather Kurzbauer

June 1, 2024, 7:09 PM · BRUSSELS - Two wonderful young artists graced the podium on the fourth evening of the finals at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition 2024.

(Find the full list of winners and their rankings on this page. Find videos from the competition on this page. Here is the Youtube link with more videos.)

The only violinist brave enough to opt for a modern instrument, SongHa Choi gave a stylish interpretation of the compulsory work: Thierry Escaich’s "Variations Litaniques." Resplendent in silver glitter, it was not only her dress that dazzled but her ability to turn musical performance into storytelling.

Unfortunately in an arena where old Italian violins enticed listeners all week long, her Stefan-Peter Greiner (2005) was not up to par. Nonetheless, her Shostakovich First Violin Concerto proved that she is a masterful performer. She dared to expand her range of colors upholding the notion that vibrato is a matter of choice. Yet, another strong contender for a top prize violin notwithstanding!

The second performer that evening, Julian Rhee opted for a traditional QEIMC winner, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Dancing both physically and aurally throughout, Rhee injected newfound whimsy into a chestnut. And, oh what a master of lush sound projection worthy of his wonderful Strad. Keep reading...

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Dmytro Udovychenko of Ukraine wins the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition

Laurie Niles

June 1, 2024, 5:16 PM · Congratulations to the winners in the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition in Belgium! Click on their names to find bios and videos of their performances.

First Prize (€25,000): Dmytro Udovychenko, of Ukraine
Second Prize (€20,000): Joshua Brown, of the United States
Third Prize (€17,000): Elli Choi, of the United States
Fourth Prize (€12,500): Kevin Zhu, of the United States
Fifth Prize (€10,000): Julian Rhee, of the United States
Sixth Prize (€8,000): Minami Yoshida, of Japan

BELOW: Dmytro performs an excerpt from Eugène Ysaÿe Sonata in D minor op. 27/3, in the first round:

The six unranked laureates, listed here in alphabetical order, each will receive €4,000. Click on their names to find bios and videos of their performances.