"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
“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)
“He
demonstrated a lyrical gift, solid intonation
and a confident sense of the drama of the work."
- Dallas Morning News
"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
