Vasily Petrenko and Joshua Bell in a Russo-English Program with the SF Symphony: Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, and Elgar, by Steven Kruger
The San Francisco Symphony
Davies Hall, San Francisco
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
Shostakovich - Festive Overture, Opus 96 (1954)
Tchaikovsky (arr. Glazunov) - Méditation, from Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42, No.1 (1878/1896)
Glazunov - Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82 (1904)
Elgar - Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55 (1908)
Hats off, ladies and Gentlemen! A conductor! And a great symphony!
Vasily Petrenko's recent electrifying week with the San Francisco Symphony reminds the listener that Gustavo Dudamel is not the sole "conducting animal" to be found on the musical circuit these days. Esa-Pekka Salonen coined the term a while back, with the impassioned Venezuelan in mind. And indeed, Dudamel is the sort of refreshing performer who has the winds jumping to their feet like jazz musicians and bass players twirling their instruments. He is all about emotion as vitality. But physically, apart from the energy with which he beats time, his manner is unremarkable.

