Bartók with bite from Zimmermann; intense but restrained Shostakovich from Valčuha and the Philharmonia

© Harald Hoffmann/Hänssler Classic

Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin)
Juraj Valčuha (conductor)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Thursday 24 November, 2016

Royal Festival Hall, London

★★★




Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz 112

Encore:
Rachmaninov: Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5 (trans. Ernst Schliephake)

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65


'Zimmermann showed exceptional command of the challenging and somewhat relentless demands that Bartók poses'.

'Zimmermann’s performance was energetic and full of bite, and he was constantly alive to the exchanges between the solo part and the orchestra'.

'Attention to detail and strong solo work from a number of the orchestra’s principals lifted the intensity of their performance'.

'Valčuha led the orchestra successfully through the extended journey of terror ..., if perhaps holding back on the extreme moments of violence'.




Read my full review on Backtrack here.