In Friday’s (10/29) Boston Globe, Jeremy Eichler writes, “Diehard classical music fans know all about the free concerts at New England Conservatory, but a wider public is still discovering this open secret of the local scene. … It was a pleasure to hear the NEC Philharmonia on Tuesday night, with the Taiwanese-born guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen on the podium. … It was an unusual night for NEC as Chen, an alumna, made an emotional homecoming of sorts, bringing with her a new work by Osvaldo Golijov that she had just premiered with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, where she serves as music director. The concert began with Dvorák’s ‘Scherzo Capriccioso,’ a colorful curtain-raiser here delivered with punch and precision. Chen’s leadership was focused, clear, musical, and in the final minutes, viscerally explosive as she drew real heat and surging energy from these committed young players. Golijov’s new work, ‘Sidereus,’ was commissioned as a way of honoring Henry Fogel, former CEO of the League of American Orchestras, and it is now making its way to 35 orchestras around the country (Tuesday marked its East Coast premiere). … Golijov, a Boston resident, worked closely with students at rehearsals in recent days, and was in attendance on Tuesday night.”
Posted October 29, 2010
