By Dave Read, Lenox, MA, July 30, 2023 performance – Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell thrilled a large audience at Tanglewood today, playing Paganini’s Violin concerto No. 1 on a program that opened with a piece inspired by politics and closed with a piece inspired by love.
Mr. Bell has not been a stranger to the Berkshires audience since his July 1989 debut here. The first Boston Symphony Orchestra performance of this concerto was in 1883, but it wouldn’t be until 1978 that it was played in the Koussevitsky Music Shed, by Shlomo Minz; Midori gave the previous performance in 1987.
As much as we’re fans first and foremost of the orchestra, it is important every season to attend one or two programs that include master soloists, not only for the singular thrill of their playing, but to be reminded of the role of the instrument itself – its various qualities and how it communicates with its many instrument-siblings.
Following intermission, the orchestra played Music from the ballet Romeo and Juliet, Opus 64, by Prokofiev. This selection offers perfect accompaniment to a sunny summer afternoon with friends. It won’t interfere with any daydream you may wish to indulge, nor will it bore you to sleep!