A concert featuring works by Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Dvoråk was conducted by the Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko. As with most New York Philharmonic performances, this performance did not disappoint. Two of the three works were previously unknown to me – Overture to Die Heimkehr aus der Fremde (Son and Stranger), Op. 89 by Felix Mendelssohn and Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op 99 of Shostakovich with Frank Peter Zimmermann on the violin. After an intermission, the program concluded with the staple of the orchestral repertoire, Symphony No. 9, From the New World, of Antonin Dvoråk.

I wonder who programs concerts at the Philharmonic. Is it Alan Gilbert, Music Director, or the individual conductors; in this case, Andrey Boreyko? Zimmermann’s playing in the Shotaskovich was spectacular.  The audience truly appreciated his talent, giving him a standing ovation at the end of the final movement. It must be crazy challenging to play Shostakovich on the violin, let alone from memory. Boreyko was interesting to watch, providing the orchestra with gestures from an expressive left hand (such as in the photo).