Daniel Harding conducts the Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra
October 25, 2010
* Notes *
Daniel Harding conducted the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden in a program of Schumann, Beethoven, and Brahms in San Francisco on Sunday evening. The performance started with the Manfred Overture. Harding gave many cues, all far in advance of when they were acted upon. The playing was focused, the brass lucid, and the flute sweet. Rudolf Buchbinder joined the orchestra as soloist for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major. The Allegro moderato was began gently, but still had exuberance. The Andante con moto never dragged, Buchbinder stretched it out but never lost the appropriate tension. The Rondo: Vivace was sunny and beautiful. We heard Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D Major after the intermission. The horn did not sound perfect at every moment, but the trumpet was strong without being harsh. Overall the orchestra had a full and articulate sound, and the last movement was particularly innervated.
* Tattling *
When I arrived at Davies I was glad to see that Herr Feldheim made it from Hertz in plenty of time for this performance. There was a little light talking in Premier Orchestra. A cellular phone rang despite the announcement about electronic devices, just after the orchestra had tuned. People clapped after the first movement of the Beethoven, but otherwise contained their enthusiasm.