“Blue Electra” — a four-movement violin concerto dedicated to Amelia Earhart — received a thrilling world premiere via soloist Anne Akiko Meyers. It’s a stunning, cinematic and relentlessly inventive stretch of music.
Meyers, who commissioned the concerto from Daugherty, occupied its pocket like a cockpit, her violin a lonely voice adrift in a vast expanse. Her lines stretched into filament-thin streaks and soared to heights I squinted to hear. Washington Post
Meyers danced with her instrument while the notes sprouted from her fine fingers. The second movement, Plegaria, is a tribute to the huapango-mariachi and the Spanish fandango, both in its rhythmic and emotional parts.
She earned a standing ovation for this move, which left the audience in awe. La Jornada
The Concerto (Fandango) itself is a rainforest of impossible challenges. Yet Anne Akiko Meyers, for whom the work was written, soared through this jungle, her 1741 Guarneri del Gesù violin jumping, bouncing, playing the frequent high registers with operatic facility, the fandango rhythms of the eponymous work flying out with golden art. ConcertoNet.com
Her full, rich tone projected easily throughout the hall (Carnegie Hall), she dazzled with her fluent technique, and her phrasing was unfailingly musical…New York Classical Review
Fandango continues fairly non-stop, presenting various tricks for the violinist and treats for the audience – what a workout. Meyers played it with strength and energy, bringing out the spirit of the rustic “huesteco” violin that it’s meant to imitate.
Thursday’s performance received a richly-deserved standing ovations, with the composer brought on stage to share the spotlight with Meyers, Dudamel and the LA Phil. Violinist.com
Wow! I would put this in the top 5 of all the violin performances I’ve ever seen! Anne Akiko Meyers tonight with @gustavodudamel and @laphil performed Fandango (Márquez)
Worth the price of admission for this alone. Performing Arts Live
She makes every note mean something as few musicians can..The music is poignant and evocative; the playing is exquisite. Put another way, the album’s sixty-seven minutes seemed far shorter and for me could have gone on forever..Classical Candor
Meyers effortlessly displays her endless versatility, radiant eloquence and mastery of technique Flipside
I am not often moved to tears at a violin recital…through a combination of fine playing, sincere music-making and thoughtful programming, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Fabio Bidini had audience members dabbing their eyes and sighing “ah,”
during their recital at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif. Violinist.com
HOKKAIDO SHINBUN MENDELSSOHN CONCERTO; MDR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; KRISTJAN JÄRVI
Her pure gorgeous sound which is supported by her extreme technique carried powerfully throughout a wide range. It was an extraordinary performance of the finest which was filled with excitement.
ANNE AKIKO MEYERS & JASON VIEAUX SFCV
ANNE AKIKO MEYERS & JASON VIEAUX Strings Mag
MASON BATES & EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA PREMIERES Helsinki Philharmonic
BEETHOVEN VIOLIN CONCERTO Arizona Daily Star
MENDELSSOHN CONCERTO Greensboro.com
MENDELSSOHN CONCERTO CVNC.ORG
PACIFIC SYMPHONY LA Opus
ADAM SCHOENBERG “ORCHARD IN FOG” San Diego Reader
ADAM SCHOENBERG “ORCHARD IN FOG” WORLD PREMIERE San Diego Tribune
