<<  -- 6 --  Lawrence Budmen    SUPERB PERFORMANCES

On 19 August pianist Garrick Ohlsson gave a virtuosic rendition of the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op 43 by Serge Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Ohlsson's tremendous pianistic technique was always attentive to the music's inner layers. Ohlsson did not neglect the score's dark subtext with its repeated use of the Dies Irae motif. The famous 18th variation was given crystalline treatment as Ohlsson's flowing tone seemed to float above the lush orchestral strings. He was given rhythmically propulsive support by conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos.

Frühbeck de Burgos is a master orchestral colorist and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Op 35 was the perfect vehicle for his orchestral command. To hear Frühbeck de Burgos's transparent, crisp performance was like rediscovering music that had long been enveloped in heavy handed, ponderous readings. The light, crisp wind playing (highlighted by a splendidly articulated bassoon solo by Richard Svoboda) was simply magical! The conductor's subtly, phrased, light treatment of the first movement and the long unbroken lyrical line of the Andante quasi allegretto really made the music glow anew! Concertmaster Malcolm Lowe contributed splendid, rich textured violin solos. Wonderful music for a magical evening at Tanglewood!

Continue to part 2 >>