Charles Dutoit conducts the New York Philharmonic.
by Paul J. Pelkonen
The announcement came on Halloween Night, as Hurricane Sandy made her exit from our city, continuing the northwest course that forced the 500-mile-wide swirl of wind and rain smack straight on into New York Harbor:
by Paul J. Pelkonen
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| Conductor Charles Dutoit. Photo provided by the New York Philharmonic. |
November 1–3 Concert Program Changed Due To Impact Of Hurricane Sandy
New Program To Include Works by Glinka, Elgar, and Rachmaninoff
Soloist Nikolai Lugansky To Make Philharmonic Debut, Charles Dutoit To Conduct.
On Saturday night, with one subway line providing access into Manhattan, this writer was able to see the New York Philharmonic perform this altered program under the sure baton of veteran Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit. The whole program sparkled. It seemed that New York's hometown orchestra wanted to please and soothe with these great works, and provide some measure of healing to an audience still suffering shell shock from the storm.
The performance opened with a brisk, jaunty account of the Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, Mikhail Glinka's escapist fantasy based on a surreal drama by Pushkin. Mr. Dutoit and the orchestra produced the overture's Rossini-like rhythms with bold vigor, alternating with rich, Oriental colors from the double reeds.
