Andris Nelsons leads the American premiere of Partita, a new work co-commissioned by the BSO and the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig from esteemed German composer Jörg Widmann, whose powerful Trauermarsch for piano and orchestra was performed by Maestro Nelsons and the BSO with Yefim Bronfman in the fall of 2016. To conclude this program, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and BSO principal violist Steven Ansell are spotlighted in Richard Strauss's picaresque tour-de-force Don Quixote, a tone poem whose episodes illustrate scenes from Cervantes' famous novel. Opening these concerts is Mozart's brief, rarely performed Symphony No. 23, written in 1773 when he was just seventeen.(Much emphasis added.)
The reviews are matter-of-fact, descriptive rather than critical. The Globe offers a very nice précis of the new piece and recognizes some good solo playing in all three pieces. The Intelligencer gives more detail about the Widmann, and has more to say about Ma's playing than the brief reference in the Globe. The latter review also tells of the recognition given to three players who are retiring at the end of this season.
I was in church for Holy Thursday when this program was first given, and I'll be there again for the Easter Vigil this evening, followed by my brother's call from Japan. Maybe I'll catch a bit between the two, but mostly I'll have to wait until WCRB rebroadcasts it on April 9 at 8:00 p.m., Boston Time. You can catch the live performance this evening at 8:00. It seems the Widmann could be challenging, but the Mozart should be pleasant, and the Strauss is popular.
No comments:
Post a Comment