02-25-2008, 12:37 AM
Benjamin Shwartz conducting. He's young, well spoken and has a lot of fun with his work. Still in the 2nd row, next to the basses, whjich was perfect since this selection was very bassy. Smaller orchestra this time, but they were really on - really tight - with that razor precision that only classical can evoke. Rimsky-Kosakov's Flight of the Bumblebee was amazing because we have a perfect view of the lead violinist and she was blazingly fast. Gliere's Russian Sailor Dance was superb. Pulene's Concerto in G minor was a organ piece - SF has one of the world's largest organs and it's always a delight to hear. Mussorgsky's Great Gate of Kiev was bombastic with signature chime percussive notes. Copland's Dance episodes from Rodeo always reminds me of that grand old western soundtrack, galloping, panoramic and a bit heavy on the yee haw cowboy. Ver enjoyable and a prelude to the Raggamuffins....
Shadow boxing the apocalypse