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In the pre-concert talk, world-renowned young violinist Jennifer Pike spoke of her love of the understated emotion of Sibelius’s violin concerto. This was captivatingly demonstrated in her pure, ethereal sound at the start of the first movement, lyrical slow movement and light, spirited playing of the third. The warm sound of her 1708 Goffriller violin filled Sheffield City Hall in an unaccompanied encore.

Rachel Rowlands, Derbyshire Times

Sibelius Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow
21 October 2016

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A large audience at Shrewsbury Abbey was privileged to witness a remarkable performance of Elgar’s violin concerto by young violinist Jennifer Pike, accompanied by the Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra under their charismatic conductor John Moore. As soon as she started, Jennifer had the full attention of the audience as her wonderfully rich tone soared across the Abbey.

We were transfixed by her calm authority and impressive technique as she quickly established a rapport with conductor and orchestra. In the second movement she was never dwarfed by the orchestra and this movement in particular demonstrated her ability to build and release musical tension with, seemingly, little effort. The final movement produced a scintillating display of violin pyrotechnics as the soloist coped admirably with the many technical challenges – bravura passage-work, dynamic contrasts, superb bow control and keen, yet unfussy, articulation were all admirable qualities in this performance, which culminated in a mesmerising cadenza. This was playing of the highest quality, and after prolonged and deserved applause she treated us to a Bach Sarabande as an encore.

Bob Wysome, shropshirelive.com

Elgar Violin Concerto, Shrewsbury SO
25 May 2016

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Eschewing an overly flashy, self-interested performance which focused only on flair, Pike brought an elegant intelligence…Her playing was assured, bowing smooth and particularly nimble in her silver-toned reading of the firecracker third movement, where her accuracy couldn’t be faulted. An encore of the third movement of Ysaÿe’s Violin Sonata no. 2 in A minor, Op.27 no.2 was an unsurprisingly intelligent choice, with fine pizzicato and tonal clarity on display.

Dominic Lowe, Bachtrack

Bruch Violin Concerto, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
29 November 2016

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It’s encouraging, in these days when emerging artists can so easily find themselves pushed and over-hyped into an early burnout, to find violinist Jennifer Pike taking the slow and careful route to stardom. Only now, a week after her 16th birthday, has she felt ready to face the toughest and most discriminating audience of all, that of London’s Wigmore Hall. But it was worth the wait. Pike’s growing maturity as an artist was immediately apparent.

Matthew Rye, Daily Telegraph

Wigmore Hall
19 November 2005

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There could be no better way to open a three-concert day devoted to the violin than a solo from Britain’s foremost young fiddler: the 15-year-old Jennifer Pike stepped on to the platform and delivered the prelude (and gavotte en rondeau) from Bach’s Third Partita with perfect poise and assurance, her instrument sounding clear and strong.

The Independent

2 August 2005