ELMAR OLIVEIRA

“The evening's highlight was violinist Elmar Oliveira's vivid performance of Ernest Bloch's "Baal Shem. He projected a magnetic, powerful tone as sound poured from his fiddle…it felt like a summoning, a benediction, and audience members stood afterwards, to show their appreciation”

Oregon Live

“Oliveira's performance was inspired. Oliveira carved the beautiful thematic contours of the first movement [Brahms concerto] with a persuasive passion that never crossed the line into mere virtuosic display, and any thought of difficulty simply vanished."

Buffalo News

“Elmar Oliveira did it again… the virtuoso violinist lifted the spirits of the Chamber Music Northwest audience with a galvanizing performance of Ernst Bloch’s “Baal Shem.” As if he were a rhapsodic cantor, Oliveira weaved a tale of lamentation that plumped the depths of the human spirit before erupting in spasms of joy. A standing ovation immediately followed this fantastic performance, and Oliveira had a smile on his face that could’ve beamed for miles.

The Gathering Note (Portland Oregon)

“…the most electrifying performance of the entire concert season.”

Art Voice (Buffalo, NY)

"Oliveira made the virtuosic portions of one of the classical repertoire’s most lasting concertos [Mendelssohn] sound like nothing — like the showy parts that surround a great melody. Nimble fingers and a nimble approach to the music, always keeping the audience involved with careful, expressive dynamics... one of the best musicians in the world.”

Steamboat Pilot (Colorado Springs)

“Oliveira's tone had a delectable sweetness, his use of portamento was natural and elegant. The violinist made much of the eerie, whispery flurries [Prokofiev Sonata No. 1] that suggest icy winds over a doomed landscape in the outer movements, and dug powerfully into the volatile scherzo. This is deep music, provocative music. Oliveira and Koenig made it speak vividly.”

Baltimore Sun “Clef Notes