The Cleveland Orchestra, fresh from concerts at Carnegie Hall and the
Kennedy Center, performed Mahler's Ninth symphony Thursday evening, May 13
at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.  It was a privilege to be there and
well worth the airfare.

The performance was unhurried, rich in detail, warm, embracing every
emotion, yet it did not wallow in emotionalism.  It was a clean, meticulous
performance, never overindulged.  Dohnanyi's transparent textures revealed
seemingly new colors and details of this great work, yet there was no
absence of power and momentum.  The Rondo-Burlerske raised the roof.
Dohnanyi's emphasis was on structural unity.  He laid bare the
psychological undergirding of this piece.  In the final Adagio, the music
slowly died away in a peaceful hushed farewell that has not faded from my
memory.

What impressed me most were the superb solists.  Michael Sachs on trumpet
was awesome.  Bill Preucil played with utmost gentleness and tenderness in
the first and last movements.  Joshua Smith on flute was wonderful.  Yet,
it would be unseemly to single out any of the soloists for the greatness of
the orchestra lies in the sum of its parts.  There was an edgeless unity
throughout the entire performance.

It is interesting that no one hears complaints that the "glory days" of
the orchestra under George Szell are gone or are in decline.  That was
easily manifest that night!

Mark