David Avshalomov's interpretation on Sept 12 was praised by Tao Xin, professor of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, as "filled with longing and strong emotions". Tao also praised the second piece, Violin Concerto in D Major, featuring soloist Liu Ming, concertmaster of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He wrote in his review the next day, saying "with her superb techniques and delicate musicality, Liu Ming and the orchestra presented the glory, joy and peacefulness of traditional Chinese culture".
Prior to the concert, David Avshalomov visited the former Pathe Villa, the old venue of Pathe Recordings in Shanghai, where his grandfather Aaron Avshalomov used to work, and where the first recording of March of the Volunteers was made.
To prepare the concert, David Avshalomov said he spent hundreds of hours to renew his memories by reading history books and listening to old soundtracks, in particular, the version recorded in 1937 in Shanghai which his grandfather might be on the recording site.
He also said he was moved by, and appreciated, the people who knew his grandfather and described him as a kind and generous person.
