“Frank Almond… was the afternoon’s excellent soloist, providing a performance of the Glazunov violin concerto that was distinguished by fluid phrasing and a vigorous, singing tone.”
– The New York Times
“Intoxicating brilliance and immense panache.”
- The Strad
“A young violinist with a razor-sharp memory and bow technique.”
- Washington Post
“What is special about these interpretations is their perfect balancing of ear, head, and heart. Certainly they are musicians of rare taste and intelligence who have gauged the emotional content of each sonata to perfection. Despite valuable achievements by more famous duos in this music, this is easily the greatest Brahms I have ever heard. Almond and Wolfram tower above giants.” (Brahms Sonatas)
- American Record Guide
“Intense, extended applause greeted Frank Almond before he played a note of Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto Friday night; His solo appearances with the orchestra have been memorable occasions. Almond’s line glided, soared, darted and hovered upon and amid the shining or stormy energy of the orchestra. Conductor Andreas Delfs and the orchestral players shaped the sound around the solo line with command and the utmost sensitivity to the ever-changing textures as voices rose to sing in brief duets with the soloist, blended into distinct choirs, or merged into a single unified, atmospheric sound.”
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Almond…. produced his winning performance by emphasizing the songlike, vocal qualities of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. The piece’s pyrotechnics were in place and on target but, for Almond, showiness took second place to the work’s enticing melodicism.
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“After a luminous slow movement, the disc ends with an explosive finale which reaffirms the players’ unassailable techncal mastery and absolute temperamental harmonisation. Some sort of standard is offered by Perlman and Ashkenazy; Almond and Wolfram are not out of place in such company.” (Brahms Sonatas)
-BBC Music Magazine
“He demonstrated a lyrical gift, solid intonation and a confident sense of the drama of the work.”
– Dallas Morning News
“Classical music in Milwaukee has improved considerably in the last 10 years. There have been many contributing factors, including the redesign of Uihlein Hall and the new Schwan Concert Hall at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Not far below them in importance was the appointment of Frank Almond as concertmaster of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He has uplifted the top-level music-making in this city more than any other one person. Almond was leader and featured soloist at Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra’s first concert of the season last Thursday at Schwan Hall. We all have learned to expect beautiful violin playing from him: a strong and singing tone, a flawless sense of pitch, energetic rhythm and an elegant ease of phrasing.”
– Shepherd-Express (Milwaukee)
“Almond’s singing tone and stylish phrasing were a constant pleasure in the Mozart Divertimento No. 15 (K. 287), which is practically a mini-violin concerto. Almond skittered playfully through some very intricate lines, then played a heartfelt, time-stopping adagio.”
– Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“… interpretive awareness and refined technique at a high level of attainment . . . a fine singing tone and the ability to sustain a long singing line . . .the technical brilliance of a young virtuoso.”
– The San Diego Union
