So...
Before my internet goes out again...
I went to a wonderful concert last night at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. It was part of their Mostly Mozart Festival, and featured the MM Orchestra and conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin - who is about to take the full time helm of the Philadelphia Orchestra. I heard him with his "home band" - the Rotterdam Philharmonic - last season, and marveled at his musicianship and ability to draw the best out of his players. Last night was no exception.
I almost passed on the program since it featured two warhorses of the symphonic and choral literature: Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, and Haydn's "Lord Nelson" Mass.
In an word... WOW!
From the opening gestures of the Beethoven, I was just bowled over by the sound I was hearing. So much energy behind. And I love watching Maestro Nézet-Séguin conduct! He reminds me of the first time I saw Ricardo Chailly conduct live - almost giggling on the podium, winking from time to time as he gave cues to different sections of the orchestra, while still respecting the intentions of the Composer. It was truly one the best orchestral concerts I've ever attended.
*And there was nice pre-concert recital by Benjamin Bielman. He played the Prokofiev Violin Sonata in D. Again, beautiful.