Stefan receives rave review from Boston Globe
Last week, Stefan reunited with conductor Benjamin Zander and the Boston Philharmonic in Prokofiev's second violin concerto. Boston Globe music critic Jeremy Eichler wrote, "it took all of one phrase to realize we were in for a performance of uncommon musical substance. Jackiw naturally has all the requisite virtuosity and technical firepower one would expect from a young soloist these days, but in Saturday’s strikingly self-possessed appearance, he placed technique at the service of a notably refined sense of artistry. After a first movement of intense lyricism and introspection, he caught the ear at the outset of the Andante with the subtlety of his coloristic imagination: The tone was distant and veiled yet glowing from its core. The utter seriousness and conviction behind Jackiw’s approach here dispelled the whiff of sentimentality that can sometimes detract from this movement. Prokofiev’s whirling finale followed with impressive bite and adrenal
Stefan in Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Chicago
Coming off his recent successful debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Stefan heads to Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center for a recital with pianist Anna Polonsky on May 5. The concert - presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society - features works by Stravinsky, Brahms, Strauss as well as the world premiere of l'Arc de Suspension by ASCAP Award winner David Fulmer. On May 24, 25, and 26, Jackiw will take his unique approach of Bruch's Scottish Fantasy to Atlanta, making his debut at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Nicholas McGegan.
Stefan opens 2011-12 season with "Paganini-like intensity"
To open his 2011-12 season, Stefan performed the Mendelssohn concerto with the Toronto Symphony under Christoph König, and the Beethoven concerto with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra under Timothy Russell and on a tour of Florida with the Florida Orchestra under Stefan Sanderling. The Globe and Mail raved about Stefan's Mendelssohn: "Clad in black from head to toe, there was a Paganini-like intensity to his stage presence. Musically, he brought substance and drama. Throughout, his tone was bright and full-bodied and his intonation was impeccable. Using every inch of his bow, Jackiw produced a sound that soared in Roy Thomson Hall. Jackiw’s cadenza was a tour de force of agility and precision" (read the full review). The St. Petersburg Times described Stefan's performance of the Beethoven a