Review of Sibelius Concerto with MSO

Maidstone Symphony Orchestra / 3 February 2024 / Mote Hall, Maidstone

Review by Susan Elkin – susanelkin.co.uk

Then it was slightly reduced forces for Sibelius’s 1904 Violin Concerto. It’s one of the most challenging in the repertoire but Mathilde Milwidsky played it with her accustomed, focused charm.  I’ve noticed the exceptional clarity of her playing before and here it shone creamily through the aching passion of the first movement, followed by that long cadenza and then some fine cross string work. Wright controlled the woodwind perfectly into the legato ending of the adagio and Milwidsky’s rendering of the final allegro was both elegant and eloquent.

After that her Adagio from Bach’s G minor sonata was a complete palate cleanser. I loved the silvery beauty of her perfectly placed double stopping and trills.