The Opera Tattler

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Yan Pascal Tortelier & Vadim Gluzman at SFS

Yan-pascal-tortelier * Notes * 
Yan Pascal Tortelier is conducting San Francisco Symphony this week in a program of Mussorgsky, Khachaturian, and Prokofiev. Last night's performance began with Mussorgsky's Prelude to Khovanshchina, orchestrated by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The playing was clear and lively. The Khachaturian Violin Concerto that followed was likewise sprightly, the soloist, Vadim Gluzman, sounded bright and genial. There were times when the orchestra did not seem precisely together, the horns dragged slightly, perhaps. Despite this, the playing did gleam and shimmer. The orchestra was more comfortable with Scenes from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, and the dynamic contrasts here were rather marked. The maestro did many impressive balletic moves whilst conducting.

* Tattling * 
The audience on the orchestra level was quiet for most of the performance, until the mandolin players stood up in the Prokofiev. For some reason, more than one person felt that this deserved commentary aloud during the music, despite the fact this part of the music is called "Dance with Mandolins" and it was obvious that mandolins were on stage.

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4 responses to “Yan Pascal Tortelier & Vadim Gluzman at SFS”

  1. Jonathan Caves Avatar
    Jonathan Caves

    That’s a blast from the past: Maestro Tortelier is the first conductor I remember hearing (is that they right term for a conductor?) way back when he was Principal Conductor at the Ulster Orchestra. Good to hear that he is still going strong.

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  2. knights-tale Avatar
    knights-tale

    While I thoroughly enjoyed Tortelier’s last outing with the SFS (Poulenc/Vaughn Williams/Bizet), I wasn’t as impressed this time. I admit I thought it was a bit odd that he was conducting an all-Russian program. Not that a conductor can’t stretch their wings, but odd nonetheless.
    The prelude to “Khovanshchina” seemed a bit tacked on to make the program its standard two-hour length (frankly my mind wandered during it).
    The Khachaturian violin concerto was the highlight, with soloist and orchestra in good shape and Vladimir Gluzman’s playing charming, effortless, even adorable. The performance gave an already extroverted piece even a little more oomph.
    After a leaden, spiritless, sluggish start to Prokoviev’s “Romeo & Juliet” (the ‘Dance of the Knights’ sounded like a a round of tai-chi at a convalescent home) things improved. It was a good performance, but not great, the expected standing ovation at the end notwithstanding. Seriously, SFS audiences would offer a standing ovation if someone broke wind onstage.
    O-Tattler, please post about this silly habit of patrons giving standing ovations for ANYTHING they see. In my 20 years of concert-going, I think I’ve given maybe 4 or 5 standing ovations, if that many. Even if I’m the only person in my section left sitting, I’ll fight the good fight (it’s the same with the idiots at the SF Opera who shout “Bravo!” for no reason).
    Anyhow, “R&J” was clearly put on the program to balance out the lesser know works on the front end. Valery Gergiev and Michael Tilson Thomas are the reigning maestros where “R&J” is concerned, best to leave it to them.

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  3. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It was an enjoyable concert. The first conductor I remember seeing/hearing was Carl St. Clair. I was so amused to hear him at SF Symphony years later.

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I liked the first half more than the second. The audience often gets excited when they hear music they know, so I wasn’t too surprised when they gave a standing ovation. People love to clap!

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