Leonidas Kavakos - Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major - Herbert Blomstedt/NHK Symphony Orchestra

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) - Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 (1878)
1. Allegro non troppo (00:52)
2. Adagio (26:03)
3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace — Poco più presto (35:00)
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
NHK Symphony Orchestra

[georgekatkins]

A very good performance by Kavakos as well as the orchestra. To those who are tinged by Kavokos's turning to the orchestra, I believe he is simply encouraging the audience to pay attention to the orchestra instead of him when he is not soloing. It is, after all, a concerto, not a solo recital; so they have equal billing.

The third movement was especially exciting to listen to and watch. It's the show-stopper of the concerto, of course. Great tempo. Kavakos' passionate playing was thrilling, and I enjoyed his improvised flourishes during the first return of the initial theme. I think I'll replay it! And I did, and it was a lot of fun.

[paulescudero]

I got to watch Leonidas Kavakos perform with the illustrious Yuja Wang last year in San Diego. I quickly surmised that Leonidas Kavakos was a modern-day Paganini. His brilliance and talent show in this concerto.

[duggiefresh]

I really liked the opening lines of the violin solo. Emphatic, in tune, but not rushed. Hard to do. He did it very very well.

[swafflemanish]

Best living violinist, hands down. His articulation and energy makes me think of Heifetz to a degree, although they are not the same either.

[eriknystrom]

The Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt was born 11 July 1927 . So if this performance was made this year as indicated in the info, he was then 94, almost 95 yo at the time.

[othmanhassanmajid]

Style like nobody else.... such an individual right arm❤😊

[luigipirandello]

Não existe perfeição na face da terra, mas esta interpretação chega bem perto.

[dominiquedarco]

Du magnifique violon !!très bel orchestre et grand chef, tout cela est magnifique .

[corinnevinclair]

Bravo à l orchestre et au maestro KOVAKOS 👍❤️

[mark]

El concierto fue el 16 de octubre de 2021 en Tokyo.

[claudiaochoacruz]

Bellísimo!!! Muchas gracias por compartirlo!!

[laniakeadev.]

3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace — Poco più presto 33:11

[liamnevilleviolist]

32:22 - I was worried that Master Kavakos would hit the other strings with his fourth finger (a la trill) when he did that very wide vibrato!

[Martini]

As everybody is commenting on anyone fiddling here on YouTube GREAT JOB: are there no weaknesses, no poor players anymore? Has all criticism deteriorated to negative mental health? Or is all just one standard: GREAT? You can’t say that this performance was flawless but I’d be ridiculous to criticise technique (though many seem so embarrassed by failure).

[MegaVicar]

I really like this interpretation that emphasizes the classical qualities of Brahms. The question that lingered in my mind the whole time was, why would an apparently right-handed guy wear his prayer beads on his right wrist.

[leonardoiglesias]

Get the score and read what is written. You all will be surprised.

[otto.s]

Estudem bem, pra não sairem catando Kavacos...

[musicfirst]

This new thing of the soloist staring at the orchestra in tutti sections is ridiculous and pompous. Turn around and face the orchestra.

[georgehahn]

Tempo too slow Kavakos is competent player but not a Heifitz.. Hillary Hahn is by far the greatest living violinist.

[spectacular-fjrm]

Wonderful, only if he didn't turn his back to the audience every now and then...