Watanabe leads thrilling “Eroica” with Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 26 April 2019

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“a riot of piquant strings and woodwinds that anticipate Wagner’s coming sound world”

Reviewed at Kimmel Center: Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia on 26 April 2019

Beethoven, Egmont, Op.84: Overture

Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54

Beethoven, Symphony no. 3 in E flat major "Eroica", Op.55

Jonathan Biss, Piano

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

Kensho Watanabe, Conductor

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Philadelphia Orchestra closes season with a pair of American masters

Cameron Kelsall, 7th June

Hélène Grimaud and Emily D'Angelo join Yannick Nézet-Séguin for a varied and variable program of Gershwin and Bernstein.

***11

Alsop conducts a substitute Marsalis symphony at Carnegie Hall

David Wolfson, 29th May

The premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Symphony no. 5 is postponed, substituted by selections from his Jungle Symphony, along with a disappointing Beethoven’s Seventh at Carnegie Hall.

***11

Philadelphia Orchestra debuts Tyshawn Sorey’s static Piano Concerto

Cameron Kelsall, 15th May

Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the premiere of For Marilyn Crispell alongside the 1873 version of Bruckner’s “Wagner Symphony”, the Third.

***11

A superb Salzburg sojourn: Philadelphia Orchestra plays Mozart

Cameron Kelsall, 11th April

Guest conductor Harry Bicket brings a sense of urgency to Mozart's Requiem and pulse-quickening energy to Symphony no. 40.

****1

Energy, precision and drama from the Philadelphia Orchestra

Susan Stempleski, 31st March

Marin Alsop is joined by pianist Hayato Sumino as she conducts the Philadelphians in an exhilarating program of works by John Adams, Gershwin and Prokofiev.

****1

Amy Beach’s Gaelic returns to Philadelphia after 100-year absence

Cameron Kelsall, 12th March

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s latest concert also features Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto with Marc-André Hamelin.

****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.

Heroic substitute: Kensho Watanabe leads thrilling “Eroica” with Philadelphia Orchestra