The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under longtime conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has, between 1990 and 2015, arguably offered the most innovative programming of any major American urban orchestra. Thus this purely standard-repertory Beethoven program comes as something of a novelty, and it's a pleasure to report that the high standards of these forces are fully maintained here. Perhaps the main attraction comes first: the Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37, is a marvelously controlled performance that stays entirely within the ...
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The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under longtime conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has, between 1990 and 2015, arguably offered the most innovative programming of any major American urban orchestra. Thus this purely standard-repertory Beethoven program comes as something of a novelty, and it's a pleasure to report that the high standards of these forces are fully maintained here. Perhaps the main attraction comes first: the Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37, is a marvelously controlled performance that stays entirely within the dynamic world of the late Classical period, but keeps the lushness of the modern orchestra and piano. Pianist Emanuel Ax has never been more precise, strongly defining the soloist's entrance within the narrow parameters laid down by Tilson Thomas. In its quiet way, it's a virtuoso performance. The Mass in C major, Op. 86, is not quite as original in conception, but it's a very strong performance of this somewhat underrated work that, at least as much as the late Missa Solemnis, Op....
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