As the soloist in Camille Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Concerto, Harriet Krijgh was unquestionably the center of attention, while the Graz Philharmonic exercised – finely accented and as colorful as it was sonorous – restraint, ensuring that the soloist was never in danger of being overshadowed by the orchestra. Her playing captivated with a compelling mix of emotion and verve, and the richness of color she drew from her instrument literally made the air in the hall shimmer.

Krijgh’s technical sovereignty, which she demonstrated most impressively in the cadenza of the second movement, was not merely an end in itself, but acted like a declamatory scene of an actor in a drama. With an elegantly presented encore – the Sarabande from Bach’s First Cello Suite – Krijgh finally bid farewell to the Graz audience before the intermission.

Isabella Steppan, June 23, 2022