Reviews
The simplified and absolute is gallant
Philip Glass: A Madrigal Opera
“The abstract work, a chamber opera for six singers, violin and viola is performed valiantly and strictly by the Ooppera Skaala ensemble. The composer himself asked these musicians to record this work for the first time in the world!...The sound is slashing beautiful. This work is suitable for listening, I actually do not need to see it performed on stage. The simplified, cultivated clean and unconditional is beautiful.”
Pertti Piispanen
Nykypäivä 23.12.2009
Preserver of tradition
“Her energetic interpretation of the music by Grieg suited quite well and she had a fine grip on the difficult sense of tonality in Chausson. The romantic violin repertoire is well worth preserving and it is good that someone does it. At the same time I am curious to see in what direction Linda Hedlund will develop in the future!”
Wilhelm Kvist
Hbl 19.8.2009
“Linda Hedlund was a stylish violinist in the German Arias by Händel, where the soprano part is written in a wide range.”
Veijo Murtomäki
HS 18.7.2009
Versatile and fascinating
“The well known Serenade by Schubert and Cantabile by Paganini work out naturally. Hedlund´s violin sounds glowing and rich, delicately supported by Schildt´s guitar. In the Sonata op. 64 by Paganini the violinist had a lot to say. Its melodic lines were swarming fast-flowing and some rapid playfulness could also be heard.”
Reijo Paavola
Kymen Sanomat 7.6.2009
Tchaikovsky´s piano trio, in memory of a great artist, provides a real challenge to any musician. The listener can only wonder and admire the movements of the bows and enjoy every single second of it. They say that this was the first time Linda Hedlund played this work in concert. Bravo Linda!
“Sunday-evening was spent with dazzling music. On the stage of Optima were Folke Gräsbeck, a pianist who already has gained a lot of recognition and fame, together with a younger generation of musicians, violinist Linda Hedlund and cellist Seeli Toivio. And there they played - piano, violin and cello together and alone, all the time sounding breathtakingly beautiful.”
Riitta Palovuori
Pietarsaaren sanomat 31.3.2009
French romantically-
“ Hedlund´s Stradivarius glows warmly in the low register. Her touch is romantically singing, which is astonishing in Debussy´s swiftly moving sonata, but prompt determination can also be found in the fiery allegro by Franck.”
Jukka Isopuro
HS 18.12.2008
“Linda Hedlund has studied in Moscow, Vienna and Berlin and is a welcomed reminder that some exquisite fearless top violinists have lately emerged from abroad, while from the Sibelius-Academy none. On the record Linda Hedlund´s Stradivarius sounds avoiding the extremes in central-european style.”
Kare Eskola
Rondo musiikkilehti/music magazine 10/2008
“Violinist Linda Hedlund has on her debut album chosen some of the brightest pearls of the violin sonata literature. The sonatas by Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Franck take the listener firmly to french ground. The works are in their temperamental and imaginative sound world of a high level and also rewarding for the listener.
Linda Hedlund´s Stradivarius-violin sounds in all dark timbres glowing colourfully in the loving embrace of its skillful player. Hedlund´s vibrato is lively elegant and her attitude of playing is confident and determined. Interpretation wise the sonatas get new depth and grandeur in Hedlund´s handling. The collaboration with pianist Oliver Kern is exemplary and on top of all sweet to listen to. A glamorous chamber music recording.”
Jan Mikael Vainio
Aksentti (Musiikkiäänitteiden erikoislehti/Special magazine for recordings) 7/2008
“Energy and go-ahead attitude can be heard in her way of making music. She has a strong handlement of the bow and a secure left hand technique combined with a well developed sense of phrasing. Her sound is beautiful and intonation spotless.”
Lena von Bonsdorff
Hbl 1.10.2008