Strings Magazine, January 2001

Debuts and Premieres Open the New York Season

In their duo recital debut at Weill Hall, Canadian violinist Lara St. John and German cellist Peter Bruns, both young and exuberant, displayed no less virtuosity and fiery temperament.

The playing was fabulous, if visually distracting.

Tall and pretty, St. John sways and moves around constantly, her long blond hair flying in all directions. Though she communicates unremitting intensity, her bow arm and finger action are totally relaxed. Confined to a chair, Bruns’ motions are more restrained, but his approach is equally athletic. Constantly watching each other’s fingers and bows by playing almost everything from memory, the pair achieve uncanny rapport and coordination. Their tone if full, vibrant, carefully balanced, and infinitely variable.

The Ravel was dispatched with carefree lively elan; the Kodaly started as a civilized conversation, then became increasingly free, giving full rein to the players’ imagination, emotional involvement, and tempestuous Gypsy flair. Handel-Halvorsen’s Passacaglia set a new record for speed, bravura, and risk taking. For an encore, St. John announced "a birthday present from a friend" - Ilan Rechtman; his "present" was a fun jazz piece.