BSO — 2019/04/27

Time got away from me. Briefly, I went on Thursday and found this week's concert not unpleasant. Rachmaninov and Shostakovich will never be mistaken for Mozart and Beethoven, but it was tolerable. Reviews were mixed. I think it's worth hearing. If you don't fancy Shostakovich, at least check out the Rachmaninov before intermission.

BSO — 2019/04/20

Here's the scoop from the BSO performance detail page on this week's concert:

Each making his BSO debut, English conductor Andrew Manze and Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi join the orchestra for a somewhat rarely heard Mozart concerto, the vivacious No. 19 in F, which the BSO hasn't played in Symphony Hall since 1994. Graźyna Bacewicz was one of Poland's most important composers of the mid-20th century, and one of very few women with an international reputation in that era. Her dynamic and soulful Concerto for String Orchestra won the Polish State Prize in 1950. Mendelssohn's Fifth Symphony, Reformation, is based in part on Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The symphony was written to coincide with the 300th anniversary of a major Reformation event, the Augsburg Confession.

(Some emphasis added.)

The page has links to background information, including conductor and soloist bios. (Click on the photos.)

I wasn't at the Thursday performance because I was at the Holy (Maundy) Thursday Mass at my church. The review in the Globe found flaws, but seemed noncommittal overall. The Boston Musical Intelligencer also finds flaws but also does not scathe.

Was it a "thumb in the eye" to Catholics to choose something so explicitly Protestant as the "Reformation" Symphony for Easter? (I wouldn't figuratively raise a metaphorical eyebrow on an ordinary weekend.) Anyway, it should be interesting and enjoyable, if not thrilling, listening on WCRB this evening and again on April 29, both shows starting at 8:00, Boston Time. I'll be in church for the Easter Vigil this evening, but I hope to catch the replay.

BSO — 2019/04/13

The Dude was supposed to conduct again this week but had to bow out because he aggravated an injury to his hand. For details about changes, we go to the program detail page:

Ken-David Masur, conductor (Berlioz, Ravel)
James Burton, conductor* (Estévez)
Sergio Tiempo, piano*
Aquiles Machado, tenor*
Gustavo Castillo, baritone*
Tanglewood Festival Chorus,        James Burton, conductor

* Indicates BSO debut

BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G
ESTÉVEZ Cantata Criolla

Gustavo Dudamel has regretfully withdrawn from this week’s performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra due to complications from a hand and arm injury sustained from a fall he took last December. Maestro Dudamel's doctor has recommended immediate rest in order to avoid further complications and fully recover from the injury. Dudamel had been scheduled to lead Tuesday’s program of Schumann’s Spring Symphony and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, as well as performances of works by Paul Desenne, Ginastera, and Estévez, Thursday, April 11 through Saturday, April 13.

(Some emphasis added and some omitted.)

Since Maestro Burton had prepared the chorus for the Estévez cantata, he was sufficiently familiar with the piece to take over rehearsing and the orchestra and conducting the work in concert. On the other hand, there was not enough time for Maestro Masur to learn and rehears the other pieces planned for the concert, so two more familiar pieces have been substituted.

Of course, the reviewers regret that substitutions were needed. Nevertheless, the review in the Globe is generally favorable. The reviewer for the Intelligencer wasn't happy with the Berlioz and less than fully satisfied with the Ravel but couldn't find fault with the Estévez.

As always, WCRB will present tonight's performance live on radio and the web at 8:00, and as usual they will play their recording in a week and two days, on April 22 at 8:00 p.m. Be sure to note the other features on their website.

BSO — 2019/04/06

Here comes "The Dude." The BSO program detail page has the usual links to background and the following description:

Gustavo Dudamel, the popular Venezuelan music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, makes his BSO subscription series debut with two weeks of concerts-his first BSO appearances since his Tanglewood debut in 2006. This first program ushers in the change of season with two contrasting, spring-related works. Robert Schumann composed his Symphony No. 1, Spring, in 1841 with the encouragement of his new wife Clara; the score is bursting with energy and optimism. Igor Stravinsky's seminal ballet score The Rite of Spring, which premiered in Paris in 1913, was given its American premiere by the BSO in 1924. Depicting an imagined ancient ritual re-awakening of the earth, the score still has the power to thrill and even shock the listener with its raw, protean power.

(Some emphasis added.)

The program wasn't given on Thursday, and as of this writing neither the Globe nor the Intelligencer has a review of the Friday afternoon performance. The pieces are pretty well known. So even without the benefit of reviews, you have a fairly good idea of what you'll be getting. As always, you can listen to the stream over the WCRB website, or, if you're within range of their signal, on 99.5 FM at 8:00 p.m. this evening, with a rebroadcast at the same time on Monday, April 15. By the way, it turns out that on Monday the 8th, last Saturday's program (from Tanglewood) will be transmitted again.