One special Mostly Mozart treat is the frequent pre-concert recitals, about thirty minutes, that often showcase young musicians clearly going somewhere. Tonight it was clarinetist Jean-Luc Votano who commenced his recital with three short Stravinsky Pieces for Clarinet Solo. Joined by young and acclaimed pianist John Novacek, Mr. Votano performed Debussy's Premiere rapsodie and Poulenc's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano.
I sat in the first row center for the recital where I could focus on the clarity and verve of Mr. Votano's performance. Sometimes pre-concert recitals aren't well attended but this one surely was.
With Music Director Louis Langree on the podium the concert began with Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite." It was well performed but this work has never done much for me.
Sir James Galway and harpist Catrin Finch, who's making quite a name for herself these days, then performed Mozart's venerable and always enjoyable Flute and Harp Concerto in C major. Finch, whose first classical CD on SONY is worth hearing, was excellent and Galway - can there ever be any doubt?
As an encore Sir James announced that he and Ms. Finch would perform an Irish tune by Mr. Traditional merging with a Welsh tune by the equally impressive Mr. Anonymous. Galway can bring the house down by just smiling at the audience.
After intermission Ravel's Concerto in G major was ably played by a Mostly Mozart regular, Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I wish he'd show up here more often.
Mozart's Symphony No. 31 in D major ("Paris") finished the evening. The orchestra, with a fair number of newcomers, takes to Mozart's symphonies like a duck to a roasting pan. A scintillating end to the evening
I have some observations about the experimental configuration at Avery Fisher Hall but I'm exhausted and will post that on the Chatterbox in the morning.
