After wowing Melbourne with a thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed recital in association with pianist, Daniel de Borah, Ukrainian-born Israeli violinist, Vadim Gluzman continues his Australian tour with perforamances of Tchaikovsky’s perennially popular Violin Concerto. Apart from Gluzman’s fine artistry, what makes these performances so interesting is the instrument he plays. Dating from 1690, the “ex-Leopold Auer” Stradivarius once belonged to Tchaikovsky’s good friend, the violinist Leopold Auer to whom the composer dedicated his concerto. Sadly, Auer considered the work too difficult and never played it on his instrument.

Vadim Gluzman. Photograph © Marco Borggreve

How fortunate, though, we are to savour its very distinctive tone. Utterly clear throughout its entire range, this Strad has a rich lyrical dimension particularly in its middle register and then an overall silvery quality that imparts a certain backlit aura to the sound.

Gluzman delivered the concerto with utter assurance, working well with Czech maestro, Jakub Hrůša to develop long-breathed phrases that ensured a perfect blend of technical bravura and romantic lyricism. Hrůša connected well with the orchestra to achieve a tightly knit ensemble (no easy feat in this work), judiciously knowing when and when not...