An alternative “three Bs" from JoAnn Falletta

By Phillip Nones, 29 January 2017

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Reviewed at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines on 28 January 2017

Brahms, Academic Festival Overture, Op.80

Bolcom, Concerto grosso, for saxophone quartet

Bresnick, Everything Must Go: Excerpts (Encore)

Bruckner, Symphony no. 4 in E flat major, "Romantic", WAB 104

Oasis Quartet, Saxophone ensemble

JoAnn Falletta, Conductor

Des Moines Symphony Orchestra

Resplendent interpretations by Yang and Falletta with the Buffalo Phil

Phillip Nones, 13th October

JoAnn Falletta demonstrates her customary excellence in colorful orchestral works by Ibert and Respighi, while Joyce Yang hits the mark in capturing the jazz-classical fusion in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto.

****1

JoAnn Falletta and the Chooi brothers present varied Buffalo program

Phillip Nones, 4th May

A grab-bag of musical goodies from Bach to the present day showcases the virtuosity of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Chooi brothers.

****1

José Lezcano's Concierto Hispanoamericano premieres in Buffalo

Phillip Nones, 5th May

In Buffalo, old meets new in an insightful Brahms Fourth Symphony that shares the billing with a world premiere concerto for two double basses and harp.

*****

Insightful Elgar from Polo, Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic

Phillip Nones, 12th November

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic showcase the rich diversity of four compelling 20th century works composed just 15 years apart, including Elgar's Cello Concerto, played by Asier Polo.

****1

JoAnn Falletta and Joshua Bell refresh repertory staples at Tanglewood

Kevin Wells, 6th August

The superstar violinist transformed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto from a war horse back to the thoroughbred it once was.

****1

Malofeev's Prokofiev thrills with the Buffalo Philharmonic

Phillip Nones, 4th March

In a welcome reminder of what Russia can be at its best, Alexander Malofeev, JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic present memorable scores by Prokofiev and Scriabin.

****1

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Phillip Nones

Phillip Nones studied piano from age six, also playing percussion in educational and civic groups before moving to a rural area of the USA in 1990, where performance opportunities were few. Recently he has started performing again, participating in “side-by-side” orchestra performances and playing percussion in the World Doctors' Orchestra. His personal collection of music includes over 5,000 classical albums in all formats (CDs, LPs, 78s), plus downloads. In his professional life, he heads up a marketing communications firm in the state of Maryland. He blogs about the French composer Florent Schmitt here.

An alternative “three Bs" from JoAnn Falletta and the Des Moines Symphony