La Marseillaise, October 22, 2001

Bravo Three Times

...And the first impression (that this evening would be a great one) was emphatically confirmed by the dazzling young violinist, Lara St John. She drew from her violin, the "Salabue" Guadagnini, transparencies of sound held until they turned to air, with the virtuosity characteristic of the Russian school where she studied but without using this virtuosity to needless effect. In the solo parts of Beethoven's concerto in D major, the audience, and even the orchestra, remained enthralled and captivated by the young lady's bow.

The orchestra also played very well and was in no way unworthy of the soloist.

(translation by Elizabeth Norman)