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Gustavo Dudamel has regretfully withdrawn from this week’s performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra due to complications from a hand and arm injury sustained from a fall he took last December.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.