Strauss and Shostakovich dominate Pittsburgh Symphony program

By Cameron Kelsall, 24 March 2025

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“Honeck sketched an inexorable portrait of the title rogue as conquering lothario”

Reviewed at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh on 23 March 2025

Shekhar, Lumina

Shostakovich, Cello Concerto no. 1 in E flat major, Op.107

Strauss R., Don Juan, Op.20

arr. Honeck.Ille, Suite from Arabella (World premiere)

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Cello

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Manfred Honeck, Conductor

Artistry at full throttle: Rafael Payare and the Pittsburgh Symphony

Sam Jacobson, 10th April

Can one be artful and musical while playing at maximum volume? In a program of López, Prokofiev and Stravinsky, Rafael Payare and the Pittsburgh Symphony answer a resounding yes.

*****

Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony captivate in Bruckner

Sam Jacobson, 20th February

Honored by the Bruckner Society of America, Manfred Honeck conducts a majestic and architecturally assured account of Bruckner’s Eighth, paired with Samy Moussa’s evocative Adgilis Deda.

*****

Piquant Poulenc, solemn Sibelius at the Pittsburgh Symphony

Sam Jacobson, 16th January

Dima Slobodeniouk returns to Pittsburgh for works by Finnish composers, and the Jussen brothers delight with Poulenc.

****1

Honeck and Pittsburgh Symphony make a strong Shostakovich statement

No’a L. bat Miri, 3rd December

Carnegie Hall's visit from the Steel City's Symphony demonstrates a thoughtful ensemble's ability to make music speak clearly, even without words.

*****

Grimaud’s glittering Gershwin highlights Pittsburgh Symphony program

Sam Jacobson, 7th November

Domingo Hindoyan’s Pittsburgh Symphony debuts spans sharp contrasts from Gershwin’s piano concerto to Franck’s symphony.

***11

Dalia Stasevska makes a radiant Pittsburgh Symphony debut

Sam Jacobson, 17th October

Familiar and unfamiliar Sibelius, a coruscating violin concerto and a recent score by Caroline Shaw are the elements of Dalia Stasevska’s noteworthy debut.

****1

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.