In Saturday’s (3/10) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Andrew Druckenbrod writes about the trepidation composers might feel about writing a concerto for horn, trumpet, and tuba. “For one, no one has come close to the popularity, grandeur and scope of Beethoven’s, so even calling a work by that name is asking for trouble. … Not only did André Previn accept that challenge when commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, but also he transformed the genre (if we can call it that). Friday night, Heinz Hall patrons gave rousing applause to Mr. Previn, who was music director of the PSO from 1976-84. Sitting on a chair on the podium, the nearly 84-year-old [conductor] faced horn player William Caballero, tuba player Craig Knox and trumpeter George Vosburgh, all principals and virtuosos. The premiere that followed was innovative and tantalizing. It was essentially a concerto for 20 instruments, but not as a concerto for orchestra or even the ancient concerto grosso. Mr. Previn called on principals and sections throughout the orchestra for a panoply of soloistic passages and combinations: flute with horn, tuba with oboe, a trombone choir or the low strings by themselves.” Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony rounded out the program.
Posted March 12, 2012
