by MICHAEL TUMELTY, Music Critic,

Glasgow Herald

 What a night last night in the Royal Concert Hall. A massive crowd turned out to hear Maxim Vengerov play Mozart's Second and Fourth Violin Concertos and the great Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola with a fine youth orchestra, the UBS Verbier Chamber Orchestra - then conduct the band in Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony.

In the event, the crowd got little of that and even less of Vengerov the violinist as incident piled on incident. It started as billed with Vengerov at his most stylish with the Second Violin Concerto. If it was his intention to elevate the neglected concerto above its perceived status as a lesser work, then he achieved precisely that with playing of immeasurable poise and refinement.

Then he hauled the Shostakovich from the end of the programme to its heart, dedicating it to the legendary Russian cellist Rostropovich, who died recently. A moving eulogy by Vengerov preceded a performance of heartrending intensity and shattering impact.

Next, Vengerov disclosed he had recently damaged his right hand and wouldn't play any further last night. In came orchestra leader Mayumi Seiler in a richly spacious account of the Sinfonia Concertante with violist Lawrence Power at his most mellow. Out went the Fourth Concerto. In came the radiant 29th Symphony in an airy, compact performance, conducted by Vengerov with a magnetism equalling that of his playing.