Hilary Hahn plays Brahms
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Cultural Centre Concert Hall
Reviewed: June 8
Hilary Hahn may have been the star attraction of this Hong Kong Philharmonic concert, but it was the orchestra itself, under the baton of Edo de Waart, that really shone. Hahn was underwhelming as the soloist in Brahms' Violin Concerto, but the orchestra played two contrasting works by Lutos{lstrok}awski and Dvorak with refreshing clarity and panache - characteristics that are now happily becoming the norm.
The concert certainly seemed to be an off-night for Hahn. The young American violinist's superb technique and faultless touch were intact, but her usual flair was missing. She was in better shape towards the end, as phrases were unravelled with easy grace, and fire and form appeared in balanced doses. But the first movement's towering intensity and the second movement's tenderness were lost in a straightforward rendering. Her tone was thin, there were minor slips in intonation, and the orchestra's billowing sound was better suited to Brahms' music than Hahn's playing.