Chicago Classical Review
July 11, 2026
Read Article at https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/
“….Schwantner’s Violin Concerto is a compelling and rewarding addition to the concert repertory—traditional in its soloist-versus-orchestra drama yet individual in its harmonic working out and characteristic of the composer in its craft, transparency and orchestral color …one can see this strong, brooding concerto joining Schwantner’s Percussion Concerto as a regular concert-hall visitor.
Yevgeny Kutik gave the world premiere of Schwantner’s concerto with Slatkin five years ago and the violinist served up a spellbinding performance Friday night—playing with big, febrile tone, fire and blistering virtuosity in the nearly nonstop solo part. Slatkin’s boldly projected yet deftly balanced account of the equally demanding orchestral component was on the same high level…”