Classical and Jazz: Preview - Violinists Viktoria Mullova and Midori at the Barbican
Published: 9 December, 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
TWO of the world’s finest violinists are playing with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican this month.
First up next Wednesday, Decembeer 15, is Japanese American violinist Midori. She’s playing Bruch’s much-loved violin concerto with the LSO conducted by Antonio Pappano, currently music director of the Royal Opera House. Although she’s sometimes criticised for playing like an automaton, that’s her ethereal warm-up to the leopard leapings when she springs on a crucial motif.
Later, the following Wednesday, December 21, versatile Russian virtuoso Viktoria Mullova is playing Beethoven’s violin concerto with the LSO conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
Both violinist and conductor are renowned early music enthusiasts so it will be intriguing to hear how they get along with the Beethoven.