Joshua Bell set Denver's Center for the Performing Arts on fire with his sizzling rendition of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor. His bow began to fray even during the first allegro molto appassionato movement as he wove back and forth, dancing to the rhythm of his violin, his hair flying around his handsome face. This is one of two concertos Joshua has recorded twice (the other being the Tchaikovsky), in part because he wrote his own cadenza for the first movement and wished to include it on the Sony version of the concerto. He learned the Mendelssohn at the tender age of 12 when he first began studying with his beloved teacher Josef Gingold, and over the years has played it more often than any other concerto in his repertoire. In fact this is the second time I have seen him play it, and it was stupendous. The second movement, an andante, was hauntingly lyrical and the third, which is incredibly fast, was brilliant. The third movement also required Joshua to reach repeatedly for the very highest notes he could play on the E-string, delightful and amazing to watch.
Joshua was well-pleased with the orchestra, exchanging a smile with the conductor during the third movement, something I have never seen him do during a performance before. He and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Kahane were scintillating. A long standing ovation greeted the end of Joshua's performance, and of course the audience was hoping for an encore. We got one, too, though Joshua did not introduce it. For a while I was wondering what it was, but it soon became clear that he was playing variations on "Yankee Doodle," something he played for the President and First Lady earlier this year. There were many chuckles from the crowd as Joshua riffed through pizzicato, fortissimo and pianissimo versions of the song everyone knows. His very special Stradivarius violin made even the softest notes audible in the rafters and the loudest ones very impressive as he ran his bow across all four strings.
My favorite part of the Joshua Bell concerts I have attended is the "meet and greet" sessions he holds afterwards when he shakes hands and signs autographs. For me he signed the Sony Mendelssohn and his newest release, the Vivaldi "Four Seasons." I cherish these opportunities to be up close and personal with Josh, and if you should attend one of his concerts, don't skip the chance to buy one (or more!) of his recordings and have it signed.

I bought my ticket last fall so had been looking forward to this performance for months, and Joshua Bell did not disappoint. In all of my years of going to the symphony, only certain performances that I have seen really stand out in my mind; this will be one of them. Mr. Bell plays with such intensity and passion. The CSO audience gave a resounding standing ovation and was treated to a rare soloist encore. Thank you to Joshua Bell for a memorable evening. I hope he will come back to Denver soon.
P.S. Last night's performance was conducted by Jeffrey Kahane, CSO's musical director.
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Ann M. Grob