Julian Kainrath, 2022 Discovery Award winner, kicked things off with the Westdeutsche Sinfonia under its musical director Dirk Joeres, playing Max Bruch’s First Violin Concerto. Julian began Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto briskly and grippingly, without pathos but expressively, very spontaneously and in permanent dialogue with the orchestra, from which he was noticeably inspired. In the slow movement, there were fervently sung passages of moving expressiveness. In the dance finale, the 18-year-old soloist was just as confident and highly virtuosic. Kainrath shaped the melodies with youthful freshness and inspired with his integrity, thoroughly dynamic play.
The audience in the Leverkusen Forum was enraptured and gave the soloist as well as the orchestra and its conductor long-lasting applause, for which Julian Kainrath thanked with a Bach Sarabande.
