Live in Montréal

Japanese violinist Ayana Tsuji, winner of the 2016 Montreal International Music Competition, is in superb form here. The Saint-Saëns Introduction et rondo capriccioso has buckets of fantasy and Tsuji has the technique to spin it off effortlessly. Stravinsky’s Duo Concertante also plays to her strengths and shows off her fine Vuillaume violin. As accomplished as those two pieces with piano are, they hardly prepare you for Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, which is wonderfully controlled yet very fresh in approach—Tsuji’s terrifically mature playing embraces high drama as well as an ability to set a mood within a few seconds.