March 18, 2023

Great orchestral playing is really great chamber music playing on a grand scale. We conductors are up there indicating tempo, but the real glue holding the ensemble together is each player listening to all the others. Our conducting gestures are mere approximations of the split-second timing necessary for superb ensemble playing.
 
Some works are especially dependent upon an orchestra’s chamber music skills to fully realize the composer’s intentions. Such is the case with the Symphony No. 7 of Dvorak which I had the pleasure of conducting with the Ann Arbor Symphony Saturday night.

It is a deceptively difficult work.  Dvorak weaves lines between strings, winds and brass constantly, often at musically inconvenient times. For the work to speak, not only does the timing need to be right, but so does the intensity, color and character. This can only be achieved through intense listening on the part of the players. The AASO met the challenge and then some. It was an immensely satisfying performance to be a part of from my perspective.
 
I also had the chance to get to know violinist KyungSun Lee who played Prokofiev’s fabulous Second Violin Concerto with us. She really delivered with a powerful and beautiful performance.
 
We opened with Debussy’s iconic “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”, another supreme test of an orchestra’s prowess but in a very different way than the Dvorak. Kudos to principal flute Alaina Bercilla for her beautiful portrayal of the work and to the entire orchestra as well.
 
Next up for me, I’m back to Baton Rouge for a program featuring Hilary Hahn in Tchaikovsky. The first half is a Latin-American musical fiesta with music of Moncayo, Marquez, Golijov and Gabriella Lena Frank. I am looking forward to being back in BR with all my friends of the BRSO and of course to working with the magnificent Ms. Hahn!
 
NEXT UP
 
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra
River Center Theater
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
March 25, 2023, 8:00 p.m.
 
Hilary Hahn, violin
 
Arturo MARQUEZ              Danzon No. 2
Gabriela Lena FRANK       Coqueteos from "Leyendas"
Osvaldo GOLIJOV             Sidereus
Jose Pablo MONCAYO     Huapango
TCHAIKOVSKY                   Violin Concerto in D