Widely regarded as one of the most loved works in the concerto repertoire as well as  probably the most difficult to play, Tchaikovsky’s masterful Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 demands brilliant virtuosity from the soloist with some extraordinary cadenzas presenting sonic challenges across the full range of the instrument. Making his second appearance with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, after a stunning debut in 2015, Russian-born Maxim Vengerov delivered a technically astonishing performance of Tchaikovsky’s signature work. Universally hailed as the finest string player of his generation and one of the finest musicians in the world, he is clearly a violinist of enormous prowess and exceptional skills, but he offered much more than this in his interpretation.  Playing the ex-Kreutzer Stradavari (made in 1727), the sound Vengerov produced from his instrument was warm and luscious with a dark, rich timbre in the full-bodied and lyrical passages that was both beautiful and achingly sweet. Even more impressive was his ability to squeeze out the impossibly high notes in the cadenzas from an instrument of this age. This was thrilling, passionate music at its best, played by a master who innately understands the composer’s work and how to make it leap...