Star-Ledger reviews NJSO concert featuring Josh Bell

The Star-Ledger writes:

At this point in Joshua Bell's career, his ability to create an exquisite tone and his awe-inspiring technical facility are beyond question. But the poise and personality that the violinist displayed at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Friday as a soloist with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra made what might have seemed like a predictable program engrossing ...

After the hushed, undulating tremolo that opened [Sibelius' Violin Concerto] on an otherworldly note, Bell began a performance that deftly balanced rhapsodic lyricism and steely resolve. The piece's structural integrity and the soloists' intention remained sure throughout, including in a skillfully wrought cadenza.

There's a moment in the first movement in which the show of robustness gives way to an impassioned yet intimate repetition of a few notes, vaults upward a third and sinks back down. It's a passage that can give the effect of the player baring his soul, and Bell saved his most luxurious, shining timbre for that point and then drew out the poignant descent that followed when the phrase returned.

The definiteness of choices such as that one, as well as the emotional power with which the soloist communicated, demonstrated his particular gift for showing control without restraint.

That polish remained as the work build to explosive and furious outbursts and dwindled to almost weightless wisps of sound. After beginning on an impish note, the finale built to a grand conclusion, with the orchestra forceful, fervent and in gratifying accord with its guest.

Read the full review at nj.com.