After the fantastic Stravinsky concerts in Budapest, we went on tour to London and Lyon. Storm Eunice did not make it easy for the audience to attend the concert halls but music has conquered everything, as always.
Absolutely "brilliant" - (The Telegraph) five star rated Stravinsky concerts in London where the orchestra and Iván Fischer "triumphed" - (The Guardian) over the pieces, supported by the outstanding performance of Patricia Kopatchinskaja who's playing was "electric" - (The Times).
The Arts Desk highlighted the unusual seating: "Iván Fischer used some eccentric seating plans on both nights, most notably in the ViolinCconcerto, where the front row of strings was replaced by the low brass."
"»This is an outstanding orchestra «, Kopatchinskaja declared before launching into two of Bartók’s Duets for Two Violins, as an encore, with István Kádár, one of the orchestral violinists. She is indeed right, and their playing was sensational throughout." (The Guardian)
Bachtrack, in addition to also mentioning the orchestral layout, emphasized the harmony between Kopatchinskaja and the orchestra: "Bare-footed and in a dress featuring a leaf motif and flames that wouldn’t go amiss in Sacre, Patricia Kopatchinskaja gave a most exhilarating performance of the Violin Concerto. (...) Her connection to the ensemble was remarkably engaged, often turning towards them and listening closely. This extended into her earthy encore where she joined co-leader István Kádár for two of Béla Bartók’s duos for two violins. "
The Spectator not only praised Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Iván Fischer but Bence Bogányi as well: "She’s inimitable, Fischer was unflappable and if I could hear only one bassoonist for the rest of my life, it’d be Bence Boganyi of the Budapest Festival Orchestra."
