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Jennifer Pike raises level of Tchaikovsky concert with her lyricism… The presence of Jennifer Pike lifted the whole thing up to a different level. She’s such a songstress of the violin…from the first time she played the main theme I felt the sheer lyricism of her playing winning me over. She seemed to affect the orchestra, too, who found a big sense of uplift in the tuttis and some hurdy-gurdy fun in the finale, and I loved the personal touches that she brought. She played the Canzonetta, for example, with lots of slurs and elisions between the notes – a small touch which actually made a big difference, making her sound much more distinctively Russian and less British – and her finale ran a huge gamut of styles, from lively to skittish to soulful, and all calling points in between. To hear one top class violinist in a weekend is a delight, but to hear two is a real privilege.

Simon Thompson, Seen and Heard International

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow
24 October 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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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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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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(Lark Ascending) Pike coaxed a golden sound from her violin…The subtly and accuracy with which Pike nailed the double stops and octaves in the higher registers belied their technical difficulty, while the rippling sounds of the livelier mid-section captured the mercurial flight of Vaughan Williams’ lark…

(Beethoven Romance in F) The phrases were beautifully conceived and Pike’s tone exquisite…the filigree and pearly high notes for the soloist glistened. A Bach Prelude in E showcased both the musicianship and virtuosity of this extraordinarily gifted young violinist.

Andew Larkin, Bachtrack

English Chamber Orchestra
4 September 2016