Performer: Kelley O'Connor

Profound questions as the Tanglewood season closes with the traditional appearance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. 

The Scottish conductor held the podium and the piano bench in an expansive program that included Wagner, Britten, Debussy and the Georgia-based composer Carlos Simon.

Robert Spano and Kelley O'Connor produce a gossamer Shéhérazade in Atlanta.

The concert paired strong new works by Joan La Barbara, Nicole Lizée and Paola Prestini with compositions by Luciano Berio and George Crumb for a satisfying evening of adventurous works for voice.

The Philadelphia Orchestra's principal guest conductor offered a typically diverse program of Stravinsky, Peter Lieberson and Lera Auerbach.

Spano marshaled the vast forces with sensitive balance in many moments. But the difficulty of achieving a proper blend amidst the thick timbral texture prevented the performance from reaching transcendence.