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Itzhak Perlman and the ASO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CONCERT REVIEW Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Wednesday in Symphony Hall. Program repeats Thursday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The concerts are mostly sold out; some tickets will likely come available at the box office. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.
At this point in his highly public career, Itzhak Perlman is a much better conductor than violinist.
There’s no scandal in that statement: for reasons of motivation, practice time or health, his fiddling skills have dropped off in the past 15 years; meanwhile, for reasons of ambition, opportunity and a future career, his conducting chops have steadily improved.
Wednesday he was the star attraction with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, filling both roles — an unusual opening night for its three-pack of weekend concerts, each of which sold out months ago.
Perlman concerts have developed a cultish appeal, with a fervent fascination for the man, regardless of the music he plays or how well he plays it. With the ASO he opened with two of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” the most ear-catching of the set, “Spring” and “Winter.”
As a violinist, his thick, buttery tones remains compelling, although he didn’t project much power. Still, their burly, romantic approach to these jittery baroque gems helped segue into a cautious reading of Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture,” stately music based on German college drinking songs.
In Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, after intermission, Perlman’s baton technique and interpretive skill were evident, for better and worse. Countless details went missing, and he couldn’t draw any sonic color from the orchestra: everything sounded monochromatic.
Yet he got the structure of the score, and the piece unfolded logically and often with emotional gravitas and vitality. Not surprisingly, the tender, affecting slow movement was best of all, deeply felt without slipping into sentimentality.
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