In Sunday’s (3/18) Daily Gazette (Albany, New York—subscription required), Geraldine Freedman writes, “The Albany Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to composer George Tsontakis Saturday night at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall to celebrate his fifth and final year as its composer-in-residence. As such, music director David Alan Miller had Tsontakis choose works from composers that have inspired him as well as perform the world premiere of a trumpet concerto that he wrote for principal trumpeter Eric Berlin. Tsontakis chose well. … [The orchestra] sounded robust, rich, and vigorous in Beethoven’s ‘Egmont Overture.’ Miller built the tempos with precision and care to create exciting climaxes. In an unusual departure, the string section did an Allegretto from Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135, No. 16. … In contrast was ‘True Colors,’ Tsontakis’s trumpet concerto. Although it was written for full orchestra, he was sparing and economical, so only rarely did it get really loud. It was more about mood with lush harmonies and Berlin’s cool, pure, clean sound as the perfect foil.” Debussy’s Nocturnes and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite rounded out the program.
Posted March 20, 2012
