Skip to content

A showcase for his brilliant and subtle playing

Princeton Info, Susan Van Dongen

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra recently opened its new season with a Happy 100th Birthday to Leonard Bernstein. The venue was Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus.

To honor the composer/conductor/performer/educator, PSO artistic director and conductor Rossen Milanov prepared a program that both challenged the orchestra and delighted the audience.

Musical selections drew from Bernstein’s contributions to Broadway rather than his symphonic works, and the PSO played each charismatic piece with energy and precision.

Three Dance Episodes from “On the Town” started off the program like a shot of adrenaline. Next on the program was “West Side Story Suite for Violin and Orchestra,” a collection of that show’s beloved melodies presented in an arrangement written expressly for a virtuoso.

PSO’s guest solo violinist Daniel Rowland was up to this difficult work, a showcase for his brilliant and subtle playing.

Rowland explored the highest range of his vintage instrument with playing that was soft, delicate, and exacting at the same time.

The PSO’s strings supported the soloist ever so quietly, accented by the harp and marimba.

Further along, Rowland fashioned a breathtaking solo around “Somewhere,” as slowly, slowly the orchestra joined him in a rousing finale to the piece.

Further news

A powerful communication of the heart of the music

Chichester Observer, Chris Darwin Before a note of this imaginative 'Parisian' programme had been played, we knew from those soulful…

A striking alignment in temperament, tone and stylish shaping

Dubrovački Vjesnik (Dubrovnik Herald) One week of Dubrovnik's rich and vibrant musical autumn at the Rector's Palace belongs, as of…

Rowland completely fascinated us with his playing

Dubrovački Vjesnik (Dubrovnik Herald) One week of Dubrovnik's rich and vibrant musical autumn at the Rector's Palace belongs, as of…

A truly magnificent recital

The Sidmouth Herald, Stephen Huyshe Shires Musicians gave ‘a truly magnificent recital' ‘A refreshingly different’ programme was billed for the…

Back To Top
Search