Sacramento Symphony Shines
Pianist Angelich exhibits passion, brilliance in Tchaikovsky

CONCERT REVIEW: Sacramento Symphony Orchestra

Peter Uferedjian
Arts Writer, Opus Magazine


Vasks: Vestijums (Message) - area premiere
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Nicholas Angelich, piano
Zvonimir Hacko, conductor

---

Last Saturday, Sacramento Symphony opened its 2004/5 concert season with the program entitled "The Voice and the Message" performing a challenging line-up of major works to an enthusiastic crowd at the Community Center Theater. The performance, which showcased another regional premiere of Peteris Vasks' work and two standards by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, was executed with brilliance and conviction. It revealed the orchestra as a finely-tuned ensemble and Hacko as an artist of international stature whose passion, understanding of music, and technical mastery rightly inspire audiences. The symphony's rendition of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto with the talented young pianist Nicholas Angelich was nothing short of riveting. Angelich traversed the challenging piece with technical prowess that speak volume of his artistic maturity. The instrument sang, wept, and sometimes shouted under his able hands. The orchestra followed suit, adding sensitively to the concerto's varied texture and expansive structure.

The dramatic performance of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony marked the continuation of SSO's two-year plan to present Beethoven's complete symphonic cycle in Sacramento. It also served as a reminder why Beethoven is considered among the finest symphonists that ever lived. Hacko's rendition of the well known piece was electrifying. The long applause and a standing ovation following its performance as well as the enthusiastic acceptance of Vasks' Vestijums (Message) proved that classical music is well and alive in the capital of California.

September 25, 2004

________________