The Mastery of Mozart at David Geffen Hall

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Reviews

Published on Monday, 07 November 2022 14:12

Written by Jack Angstreich

Yefim Bronfman conducts the New York Philharmonic. Photo by Fadi Kheir.

At David Geffen Hall, on the evening of Wednesday, November 2nd, I had the privilege to attend a wonderful subscription concert—the second I’ve heard in an already strong season—presented by the New York Philharmonic.

The program began marvelously with the extraordinary Piano Concerto No. 22 of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by the superb virtuoso Yefim Bronfman in a sterling performance of exceptional lucidity. After a stately introduction, the beautiful, opening Allegro is melodious with some weighty passages, while the fabulous Andante is more serious, although also including very charming, more sprightly music. The delightful finale was the most ebullient of all the movements, but it has its more introspective moments. Bronfman and the ensemble deservedly received an enthusiastic ovation.

Even more impressive was the second half of the evening, which consisted of an accomplished account of Anton Bruckner’s magnificent, titanic Symphony No. 7. After a magisterial beginning, the awesome Allegro moderato acquires a more devotional character—with some dramatic passages—but concludes rousingly and triumphantly. The exquisite, celebrated Adagio is elegiac—although with impassioned moments—and Wagnerian—indeed it was written as a tribute to that composer—as is much of the work as a whole. The brilliant Scherzo is more exuberant and exciting, and features a graceful Trio section that has a more pastoral ethos. The glorious Finale—probably the most eccentric of the movements—was stirring, indeed amazing, powerfully closing a memorable evening. The orchestra and its conductor were acclaimed with great applause.

I look forward to further pleasurable adventures this season with these admirable artists.

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