Bartók, Mozart, & Dohnányi With the New York Philharmonic

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Reviews

Published on Tuesday, 02 May 2023 14:08

Written by Jack Angstreich

Ivan Fischer conducts the New York Philharmonic with Artist in Residence András Schiff. Photo by Chris Lee

At David Geffen Hall, on the evening of Thursday, April 20th, I had the great fortune to attend a superb concert presented by the New York Philharmonic under the extraordinary direction of Iván Fischer, one of the finest contemporary conductors.

The most thrilling work on the program was its first, the magnificent, beautifully orchestrated but seldom performed Symphonic Minutes of the undervalued Hungarian composer, Ernő Dohnányi. The opening Capriccio movement is sprightly and charming while the ensuing Rapsodia is sumptuous. The unusual Scherzo is stirring, followed by a lyrical Theme and Variations and a closingRondothat is propulsive and exciting.

The renowned soloist, Sir András Schiff, then joined the musicians for an outstanding account of Béla Bartók’s powerful if difficult Piano Concerto No. 3. The vivacious, sometimes playfulAllegrettothat begins the piece is challenging but captivating. The middle movement is much more interior and intense and the finale is vigorous, virtuosic and unpredictable, building to a striking conclusion. The pianist rewarded enthusiastic applause with a wonderful encore: Bartók’s The Swineherd's Dance from For Children.

The second half of the event was also remarkable, a masterly realization of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s incomparable “Jupiter” Symphony. The beginning Allegro vivaceis joyous although with an undercurrent of disquiet and the Andante cantabile that succeeds it is an appropriately song-likesarabandethat is both elegant and serious with a Trio section that communicates a greater urgency. The unsurprisingly dance-likeMenuettois the most ebullient of the movements, preceding afinalethat is simply astonishing in intricacy, complexity and majesty. The artists deservedly received a standing ovation.

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