Fleischer, Pine shine at symphony

By ROBERT ROLLIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

To start its 82nd season the Youngstown Symphony and its new music director, Randall Craig Fleischer, gave Youngstowners a superb opening-night Powers Auditorium Russian music program this past weekend.

Fleischer did a terrific job for his official debut, keeping ensemble tight and controlling dynamics well all evening.

The concert’s high point was provided by stellar violin soloist Rachel Barton Pine’s exemplary and inspired “Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto” performance. From her very first entrance it was clear that she was totally comfortable with the music. She projected beautifully over the orchestral texture, and her rich sound seemed to pour forth effortlessly. Her trill section was charming and crystalline during the more rhythmically-differentiated second theme. The orchestra accompanied very well, except for a few ragged moments in the tutti following the trills. Pine’s energy was infectious as she dug into rapid passages with her powerful bow arm gestures. Her sound on the low G string was especially lush and vibrant. The cadenza was both intense and graceful.

For complete review, see Monday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.