In Sunday’s (5/20) Times-Picayune (New Orleans), Chris Waddington writes, “It’s helpful to know the repertoire of a blues, folk or jazz group, but if you club hop, what you really need is a little background about the musicians. How do they play? What do other musicians say about them? Are they on a mission, or are they punching a time clock as entertainers? Those same questions apply to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra—and the answers are happy—especially if you are looking at the ambitious, 2012-13 subscription series the group recently unveiled. … Since welcoming [Carlos Miguel] Prieto to the podium in 2005, this feisty, player-owned band of 67 musicians has moved from strength to strength, powered by brass blasts, drum rolls, nightingalelike woodwinds and strings that wrap you, caress you and sweep you into the groove. … For Prieto, the upcoming season is a testament to the orchestra’s deep emotional engagement and its powerful work ethic. … Its players will jump the gate with contemporary work: Steve Reich’s minimalist ‘Three Movements’ (Oct 26); a world premiere symphony by Stephen Dankner (Feb. 16); and Rodion Shchedrin’s ‘Naughty Limericks’ (April 6). Other concerts open with questing 20th-century works: Strauss’ ‘Death and Transfiguration’ (Nov. 1); Anton Webern’s early ‘Passacaglia’ (Jan. 26); and Stravinsky’s neoclassical ‘Symphony of Wind Instruments’ (March 8-9).”
Posted May 21, 2012
