On Saturday 20th June, Tamsin Waley-Cohen premiered the new violin concerto ‘The Dreamer’ by her sister Freya Waley-Cohen at the Aldeburgh Festival. Kevin John Edusei conducted the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Snape Maltings Concert Hall.
Reviews:
Jon Jacob, Thoroughly Good
“Tamsin Waley-Cohen responds to the full and varied writing with a commanding presence. There is a grounded style to her playing that conveys both strength and warmth. This is a powerful sound in all registers that asserts and occupies. Resonates. Sings. Dances. The score invites, the soloist accepts.”
Read the full review:
blog.thoroughlygood.me
Planet Hugill
“Freya Waley-Cohen’s new violin concerto The Dreamer brilliantly performed by her sister, Tamsin, could well be said acts as a companion piece to Ogonek’s stirring and thoughtful ‘dreamful’ work. Such an accomplished and relaxed performer, I’ve heard Tamsin Waley-Cohen so many times and she never fails to delight her audience, therefore her performance of her sister’s highly-emotive and challenging violin concerto, gracefully employing the full use of the orchestra, was so highly desirable to listen to in her capable hands thus showing off her musicality and technical mastery of her chosen instrument.”
Read the full review:
www.planethugill.com
The Guardian
“There were rhapsodic passages as the violinist soared and looped – her fingers flying…Amid the bells-and-whistles virtuosity, flashes of simplicity stood out: the soloist floating ethereally over a bed of meandering whole-tone strings; tonal chords gleaming as one colour among many.”
Read the full review:
www.theguardian.com
Seen and Heard, International
Freya Waley-Cohen’s The Dreamer (2026) was a 25-minute violin concerto written for her sister Tamsin Waley-Cohen, who now took centre-stage for the work’s world premiere performance. … The ensuing, delicately scored song without words was buoyant and soothing, elevated by the soloist’s effortlessly fluent and radiant playing. ..A deeply personal concertante work of impressive scope and integrity, The Dreamer intrigued, captivated and consoled. In a solo part written especially for her, Tamsin Waley-Cohen played with warmth, technical assurance and expressive freedom, securely and instinctively accompanied by the BBC NOW musicians.
seenandheard-international.com
The concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 In Concert on 23rd June at 7.30pm and then will be available for 30 days to listen again: