Amazin' Sarah Chang did something impossible tonight in Davies Hall.
She made superb music out of the Prokofiev First Violin Concert.  She met
the basic challenge, of course, playing through the tough piece flawlessly,
and without showing the slightest effort (as she has done every time since
I first heard her when she was 9), but then on top of that, she imbued
Prokofiev's sophisticated circus music with Stravinsky's pulse,
Tchaikovsky's ardor, and Shostakovich's depth.  In other words, she didn't
"just" perform the music; she made it better.

I don't know where that enormous sound comes from, that organ hidden in the
small wooden box, but that power and projection identify Sarah immediately,
and this is increasingly true as she is physically "growing up" -- although
she has always been a grownup, musically and in her impeccable stage
manner.  I have known few violinists, especially of her age, with her
consistency of excitement and excellence.

Michael Tilson Thomas was a restrained and supportive partner and
accompanist, and then he too performed Sarah's value-added trick.  Just as
the Prokofiev represents a physical challenge (and not really great music),
Varese's "Ameriques" is something to "get through" -- but MTT's genuine
love for the work, his total certainty about it, and his mind-meld with the
orchestra resulted in a performance superior to the work itself.  And,
unlike the usual audience reaction to "Ameriques" (sour faces mixed with
respectful applause), the well-justified San Francisco response was a
standing ovation with a thunderous sound very much in the Varese fashion.

MTT and orchestra also dazzled in the Debussy "Images," the reverse
order of "Gigues" - "Rondes" - "Iberia" smooth as silk and yet powerfully
engaging.  The end of the last Symphony season was notable for the way
music director and orchestra reached great heights together; this time,
things are going even better.  At the end of a long and difficult season,
the orchestra is at its best, all auguring well for the upcoming "American
Mavericks."

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