Review | New York Philharmonic and violinist Hilary Hahn in Hong Kong: polished Brahms concerto, pyrotechnic Tchaikovsky ‘Pathétique’
- Soloist’s technical prowess and orchestra’s immaculate phrasing under Jaap van Zweden’s baton were evident in their performance of Brahms’ violin concerto
- Orchestra and music director were razor sharp in a performance of Tchaikovsky’s last symphony that brought a scintillating mix of yearning, fire and pathos
Even if the New York Philharmonic’s first Hong Kong concert had not coincided with American Independence Day, it was a sure bet that one of the world’s finest orchestras – and, having been founded in 1842, one of its oldest – would set off musical fireworks.
From the opening bars of the introduction to Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D, the buoyancy of the orchestra’s playing and their immaculate phrasing were evident. When Hahn’s earthy and consistently polished tone was added to the mix, it proved a partnership par excellence.
The somewhat stately tempo adopted for the Allegro non troppo first movement made it appear Hahn had all the time in the world, and the American soloist wove her playing in and out of the orchestral textures with dexterous ease.
Her technical prowess was never in question as she delivered double stops of balance and depth in both the frenetic passages and the steadier ones.
