Tonight was one of the best concerts I have attended at the Dorothy
Chandler since returning to classical music and Philharmonic concert-going
just four years ago. I didn't know going in how much I would be mesmerized
by the Berg concerto, which I do not own a recording of (I will sooner
than later, now). I knew how much I love Bruckner #9 - but I wondered
about Boulez's supposed "dry," "analytical" approach. In the event, he
may have favored sonority and texture over drama, but only comparatively
- drama was present and forceful.

I managed to get through traffic fast enough to make the pre-concert
lecture - it had just started as I got off the elevator - and there was
the man himself, Mr. Boulez, being interviewed by Deborah Borda.  For
all his formidable reputation, and some sharp-edged reported comments
(I remember reading that he had called Verdi "stupid, stupid, stupid,"
which is stupidly beside the point), the man in person is as impressive
as they come. In fluent but accented English, he held us at attention
with his sincerity and knowledge  - and humor. When Borda mentioned
Mahler movements with the NY Phil that varied in length by as much as 7
minutes when Bernstein conducted, Boulez winked and said, "Now that's
an achievement."

The soloist for the Berg was a gorgeous young violinist, Jennifer
Frautschi. I eagerly await the first concerto at Disney Hall, as I have
found most concerto performances sonically disappointing at the Dorothy
Chandler. Ms. Frautschi's soft playing in the opening was almost too
soft. As the work progressed she seemed to "step forward," and in the
"second part" especially she riveted the crowd. All night there was
almost no coughing - surely the quietest, most attentive audience in my
memory. I guess if you put Berg and Bruckner on the program, you are
pretty much assured of a knowledgable audience.

After the sad, spectral beauty of the Berg came intermisison and then
the Bruckner.  One of my all-time favorite symphonic works, Bruckner's
9th had all its spiritual power and also a rigor that I have not felt
in some other more "romantic" approaches. The scherzo was amazing, with
little wind/flute lines coming through in the trio that I didn't remember
hearing so clearly before, and the final adagio stunning.

All in all, a great evening, and now I look forward to next week, the
Phil's last performances at the Chandler - Boulez again, with Bartok,
Messiaen, R. Strauss, and Haydn. Mitsuku Uchida will solo. Should be
another great evening. And Mr. Boulez will be back next season at Disney
Hall for act two of "Parsifal."

Oh, and the horns did well, as they did last week for Mahler 3.

Guess I'll have to look into making it to Ojai in June for Boulez's
performances there...

C Mullins