SF Symphony: Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Berlioz, with Sasha Cooke, mezzo, and Jonathan Vinocour, viola, by Steven Kruger
The San Francisco Symphony
Davies Hall, San Francisco
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conducting
Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-Soprano
Jonathan Vinocour, Viola
Berlioz, Roman Carnival Overture, Opus 9 (1844)
Harold In Italy, Opus 16 (1834)
With the conclusion of last week's Symphony performances, the official concert year in San Francisco has come to a vivid but unexpected close. Normally, at this time of year, one anticipates listening to a monumental end-of-season work, but logistical difficulties this time prevented the orchestra from putting on Berlioz's elaborate dramatic symphony, Romeo et
The Symphony audience was ultimately none the worse for its finale, experiencing instead Les Nuits d’Été and the still insufficiently heraldedHarold in Italy, in fine performances served up by MTT, with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and violist Jonathan Vinocour. A snappy rendition of the Roman Carnival Overture began the proceedings, highlighted by Russ deLuna's unusually characterful English horn.
