Apropos of Janos's comment on the recent SF Mahler 8th:

>Sometimes all the ingredients are present for a performance, but it
>doesn't turn out as well as it should.

While not often mentioned, JoAnn Falletta is quite a good conductor.
I was at a concert a few years ago of the Brahms 3rd Symphony with
her leading the Virginia Symphony and it was absolutely breathtaking.
Several months later I attended the Beethoven 9th, same orchestra and
hall, and it just did not catch fire.  Why?  Wrong day?  Phase of the
moon?  I think even the "greats" had off days and a truly masterful
performance is the exception at most concerts.  The great ones just
do it more often.

David L. Simmons
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