‘The soloist in Elgar’s work is entrusted to the British violinist Jennifer Pike. The woman in the flaming red dress is as virtuoso as she is sensitive to the considerable challenges of this “greatest violin concerto since Beethoven”, as the violinist Fritz Kreisler once said.

The interaction with Jennifer Pike works perfectly – the orchestra is both a dialogue partner and a subtle atmospheric painter. It forms sound spaces for the soloist, into which she can “sing” softly, tenderly, lyrically or in which she unfolds energetic self-confidence with insanely fast runs and double-stopping’

Elgar Violin Concerto, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, Garry Walker

16th February 2020