Hilary Hahn and the New Jersey Symphony give admirable performance of Sibelius Violin Concerto
Music Director Xian Zhang’s absence didn’t stop the New Jersey Symphony from delivering in front of a packed Prudential Hall as Adam Glaser stepped in to lead the orchestra through a dazzling performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto alongside world-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn at NJPAC. NJArts.com gave props to Glaser for stepping in on short notice and for leading the highly anticipated collaboration with Hahn.
The less-is-more philosophy stuck with Glaser ... He set down the delicately sustained pianissimo of the strings in the allegro moderato with a light hand and followed with solid, clean phrasing and articulation. The orchestra’s secondary role allowed Hahn to embark on clear, intelligible musical language with grace and eloquence. The expanded cadenza — the work’s most thrilling passage — grew beautifully with big vibrant tones right through to the breathtaking coda. Hahn’s lyrical, luminous and penetrating tonal vocabulary was full of intelligence and substance.
Courtney Smith of NJArts.net