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closeFriday, Sep. 04, 2009
The DSO on disc
A new CD vividly captures the magic of Jaap Van Zweden, the new conductor of the DSO.
By CHRIS SHULL
Special to DFW.com
During the last symphony season, the excitement over the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s new conductor never abated. When Jaap van Zweden conducted a concert, it was an event. Great things were expected.
And, as documented on a new live CD, great music was delivered.
Just in time for the new concert season, the DSO has released on its own label a CD of Tchaikovsky’s stormy Symphony No. 5 and sunny Capriccio italien, recordings made at the Meyerson Symphony Center during concerts in January and May.
The CD vividly captures the magic of Van Zweden’s musical leadership — he and the orchestra nitpick in rehearsals, sculpting the tiniest details.
Then, during concerts, they go with the flow, creating expansive and effusive music that is alive in the moment.
Throughout the Symphony No. 5, he inspires a luscious tone from the strings, a sound that throbs and sighs along the contours of Tchaikovsky’s lush melodies. He pulls a velvety hue from woodwinds and dark grandeur from the brasses; the music shimmers with grace and is anchored in proud nobility.
Van Zweden brings dash to the Capriccio italien. Big downbeats accented by percussion give a cocky kick to the lilting pace — the orchestra suddenly becomes a circus band.
It’s transformations like these that van Zweden engineers so well, an inspiration that brings fresh vitality to familiar pieces and a sense of energy and purpose to concerts by the DSO.
The CD is $20. It is available at the Meyerson and online at amazon.com and dallassymphony.com.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, Capriccio italien
Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden, conductor
**** (4 of 5 stars)
Available on www.dallassymphony.com
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