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New Mexico Philharmonic.... Nov. 12 2016

Attended the "Russian Titans" concert, at Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque......

The concert featured two works, conducted by one of several Music Director candidates, Rune Bergmann. Jennifer Frautschi performing Prokofiev's 2nd Violin Concerto. Bergmann and the Philharmonic performing Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.

The short story is this may be the best classical concert I've attended in 10 or 15 years.....

Jennifer Frautschi was a commanding presence on stage for Prok's Second Concerto..... Playing a Stradivarius violin, she got nice volume in the rather large Popejoy Hall. She was great with melodic line in the opening two movements, the melodies became recognizable as the work progressed. Her form was impeccable (would easily pass the John Marks test). The virtuosic final movement sustained melodic like, avoiding the common fault of sounding "choppy". Jennifer got a thunderous ovation after it finished, both Frautschi and Bergmann applauding each other. Frautschi even pointed to some musicians in the orchestra. It was an enthralling performance.

After the intermission, Bergmann and the NM Phil performed the warhorse Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony. And the conductor and orchestra did not disappoint. Bergmann's read of the opening movement was almost without fault. Although I've heard more explosive renditions of this opening movement, Bergmann was able to exercise patience, to let the climaxes build on their own momentum. The second movement was again almost without fault. The opening horn was first rate, just slightly louder than Tchaik's intent (common fault).... Once again, the control of the dynamics and tempo will make Bergmann the frontrunner in the Music Director vote. The third movement was once again almost without fault. This is a tricky movement because virtuosic wind lines or the inner melodies win out at expense of the other. But Bergmann did well here with the NM Phil. The final movement labored somewhat. Taken a little slow, it brought out the flaws of the NM Phil, which is somewhat sluggish brass and strings. The NM Phil brass didn't quite have the horsepower for this final movement. But still overall, a first rate read by Bergmann, and the NM Phil sounding almost like a major orchestra. And once again, a thunderous ovation from the audience, which almost filled the 2000 seat hall to capacity.

The New Mexico Philharmonic's strength is in its wind section. I'd almost call it phenomenal. The principals were all very strong. The oboe almost sounded like Ray Still, the flutes had nice projection and melodic line, the clarinet was close to Robert Marcellus caliber (!). Even the bassoons were first rate. The wind section had great projection, balance, and cohesiveness.

I was also very impressed with the acoustics of Popejoy Hall. Seated in the upper level mezzanine (front rows) right side. I've been used to dry halls like Severance Hall and Philadelphia's Academy of Music. Popejoy was a more reverberant hall. Almost sold out, and a rather large 2000 seats, I was able to hear even soundstage and depth from my vantage point. (I closed my eyes and did the "world's best stereo" thing.) The sound was neutral, the choirs of all orchestra sections easily heard. The only "flaw" was I thought the back of the stage (winds, brass) was rendered more clearly than the front of the stage (violins).... But minor flaws.... The sound was never muddy or harsh. (I thought there was no sound reinforcement, but was hard to tell for sure.)

Once again, one of the best concerts I've attended in a long time. Bravo!!


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Topic - New Mexico Philharmonic.... Nov. 12 2016 - Todd Krieger 17:54:36 11/14/16 (7)

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