Andrey Boreyko was back for a second straight week at the Philharmonic, this time with an all-Russian program featuring the Shostakovitch Cello Concerto No.1 with Gautier Capucon.

• N. Tcherepnin – The Enchanged Kingdom, Op. 39
• Shostakovitch – Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 107
• Tchaikovsky – Suite No. 3 in G major, Op. 55

The pre-concert talk was notable for how the presenter, Fred Plotkin, synthesized the works and highlighted common threads (other than all being Russian). I also enjoyed my seat in Row D of the orchestra. While I wouldn’t want to always sit so close as the sound is not balanced,  it was enjoyable to closely watch the musicians and conductor. Another satisfying evening at the NY Philharmonic!

Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko returned to the Philharmonic – 2 weeks this year – to conduct a pair of works based on Hans Christian Andersen tales and Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto with Principal Bassoon Judith LeClair.

• Stravinsky – Song of the Nightingale: Symphonic Poem
• Mozart – Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191/186e
• Zemlinsky – The Little Mermaid, Fantasie in Three Movements for Large Orchestra after Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, Op. 18

There is an interesting CNN interview online with Judith Leclair. Interesting story of her bassoon.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 weeks since I’ve been to New York and the Philharmonic. This week’s concert was a eclectic mix of Beethoven, Shostakovich and Gershwin. Russian violinist Lisa Batiashvili was featured in the Shostakovich.

• Beethoven – Fidelio Overture, Op. 72
• Shostakovich – Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99
• Beethoven – Symphony No. 1 in C major, OP. 21
• Gershwin – American in Paris

Alan Gilbert was back as conductor. The New York Times review is located here.