Performer: Vilde Frang

In these difficult times a reduced audience witnessed a concert of music that didn’t exactly offer much solace, but which possessed a powerful sense of loss and foreboding that seemed entirely timely. 

From the podium, Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare’s fine direction and unmitigated athleticism were part and parcel of the excitement.

 A lively, muscular account of Stravinsky's Violin Concerto by Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang while Măcelaru conducts a convincing Manfred Symphony by Tchaikovsky. 

Fiery Prokofiev but lacklustre Britten with the National Orchestra of Belgium.

Attentive to the dynamics and tempi, Frang meshed her violin with the orchestra, naturally coming into the footlights or receding into an accompanying role when required. In effect, the performance had a feel of an improvisation.

Under the baton of John Storgårds, Vilde Frang made her Cleveland Orchestra debut in Britten's Violin Concerto, with works of Antheil and Schumann rounding out a diverse selection.