“For his final set of subscription concerts before the new year, music director Andris Nelsons has assembled a commendably exploratory program,” writes Jeremy Eichler in Saturday’s (11/23) Boston Globe. “Of the four works on the program, the only repertory staple in the mix is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Thursday’s program opened with the premiere of a work by Latvian composer Arturs Maskats entitled ‘My River runs to thee …’ co-commissioned by the BSO and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra…. The work takes its title, and a portion of its inspiration, from the poetry of Emily Dickinson. The score itself is for the most part earnestly lyrical and atmospheric, bookended by plaintive woodwind solos from clarinet (Thomas Martin) and English horn (Robert Sheena). Lasting about 15 minutes in length, the music makes its points with a pared back simplicity and directness of statement…. Nelsons and the BSO launched the new work with sincerity and care.” Also on the program was Shostakovich’s Second Symphony with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, which also performed in Galina Grigorjeva’s On Leaving, “a substantial and challenging eight-part [work].… The performance, led by TFC conductor James Burton … was compellingly shaped, sonically rich, and utterly haunting.”
Posted November 26, 2019
