The Specialist’s Guide To…Unsung heroes of the bow: #1

An ardent anti-Nazi and co-founder of the Israel Philharmonic, Huberman played music as he felt it. Try the opening of the Tchaikovsky, initially quiet, then swooping upwards with a marked flourish, a formula that remains intact for the duration. And has anyone ever announced himself so confidently after the opening tutti of the Beethoven, climbing impatiently to ethereal heights? Huberman’s playing, stylistically old-fashioned, isn’t a ‘comfortable’ listen: he challenges, questions, teases, attacks and contemplates. But if ever a player had something to teach us, Huberman’s the one. © 2012 Gramophone