Word: bso
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Haitink, who had been conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam for more than twenty years, led the BSO in a performance of the Prelude to the First Act of Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnburg, the Sibelius Violin Concerto, and Brahms' First Symphony. Kremer joined the orchestra as soloist in the concerto...
...exertion of playing the Wag ner overture immediately showed one of the BSO's prime weaknesses--it can't play very loudly. It's possible that the Koussevitsky Music Shed, because of its open-air construction, dissipates the sound. Despite possible infrastructure problems, the orchestra seemed to lack a fierce fortissimo at the top of its dynamic range...
...second movement highlighted the sweeter part of Kremer's musicianship. His tones were mellifluous and limpid, and his chords and changes were exceptionally clear. Here, the BSO's modest and controlled playing led to an extremely touching performance...
Immediately, the intense crispness of the BSO under Haitink struck the listener. This orchestra underwent a complete transformation under their visiting leader; suddenly, the BSO was the Concert-gebouw's forgotten sibling. The string pizzacati were sharp and their entrances were flawless. In the second movement, the wind choruses were perfectly tuned and placed. Then came the crowning moment--the horn-violin duo, in which concertmaster Malcolm Lowe played so exquisitely as to melt one's heart...
Christ says that he plans take a year off after graduation to explore some "fundamentals." This concert offers evidence that he's already got them down. Much luck to Christ and many kudos on an excellent performance to his now-former BSO...